Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
Radar Update at 5:50 PM: A broken band of thunderstorms will continue to slowly sag southward into northern portions of southern Illinois through the evening. An isolated storm is possible elsewhere. The stronger storms may produce hail up to 1 inch in diameter and wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph. Due to the slow movement, heavy rain may lead to localized flooding as well.
The Illinois State Police sent in the following traffic accident alert at 4:43 p.m., Thursday, July 13.
“All I-57 Northbound lanes are currently closed at milepost 44 ( just south of I-24) due to a crash involving three truck tractor / semi trailers. It is anticipated that I-57 northbound will be closed for a significant amount of time for recovery and cleanup. Northbound I-57 traffic is currently being diverted off of the interstate at Exit 30 (IL. Rt. 146). People traveling northbound on I-57 should use caution and seek an alternate route.
Updates will be provided as they are available.”
This subsequent update was sent in by the ISP at 5:04 p.m.
“Northbound I-57 traffic is now being diverted off the interstate at Exit 40. Recovery crews are working to open one northbound lane just south of the I-24 split.”
by Steve Dunford
SESSER, IL – I had my memories pop up on Facebook in the last few minutes I was reminded that one year ago today, that Franklin County had a severe thunderstorm roll through that afternoon.
The brunt of the damage was in the Sesser Area. I had several pictures of wind damage. The picture is of d downed tree in Jim and Carleen Roberts yard on the north side of the city. It also shows pieces of their smashed produce stand . Hopefully, I will be writing a story about their endeavors some time next week.
The posts from that afternoon came from my high school sports blog, Franklin County Hoops and Gridiron. Since it is a dedicated group, I began to share emergency information on that site.
I was in frequent contact with Sesser Mayor Jason Ashmore that afternoon. Not only Sesser, but most of the west side of the county experienced damage. Valier was hit pretty hard as well.
Ameren-Illinois reported over 4,000 customers throughout power. There was a brief power outage in West Frankfort, as 70 mph winds were clocked just to the west of town.
Benton, Thompsonville, as well as the rest of the east side of the county experienced little damage, as the cell began to weaken.
With a very small chance of severe weather today, pray we do not have a repeat.
by George O’Connor – Communications Director for Congressman Mike Bost
Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) joined a bipartisan coalition in Congress to pass a trio of bills cracking down on human trafficking and implementing a stronger detection system nationwide.
“It should anger each and every one of us that Illinois ranks in the top 10 states for reported cases of human trafficking,” said Bost. “When Boko Haram kidnapped 200 teenage girls in Nigeria in 2014, human trafficking became a hashtag and garnered attention from countries around the world. But we’re wrong to assume that this modern-day form of slavery is an isolated tragedy in some faraway nation. Reported cases of trafficking continue to rise in Illinois. Our work is far from over, but these bills are vitally important to help protect American families.”
Background:
WEST FRANKFORT, IL (Tim Hastings, West Frankfort Gazette. Please click on the link for the full story. Here is an excerpt below. Photo contributed to the Gazette.)
The new superintendent of Frankfort Community Unit School District 168 said Thursday he is looking “rapidly and deliberately” at finances, personnel, curriculum, and procedures in order to give students the opportunities and resources to succeed and be good citizens.
Matt Donkin, who became superintendent on July 1, said he will be asking staff to define what it is they do; explain how they do it; examine whether the procedure is working, and to suggest ways it could be improved.
“I told the principals and the administrative office staff on the first day that I’m going to be asking four questions repeatedly,” Donkin said. “These are: ‘What is it?’; ‘How are we doing it?’; ‘Does it work?’; and ‘Could it be done better?’”
by Steve Dunford
The National Weather service issued a special weather statement in regards to the heat this afternoon. Heat indexes are to be between 100-105.
There is a marginal risk (level one of five) for severe weather for this afternoon into the overnight hours for Franklin County and most of Southern Illinois. As you can see from the graphic to the left, There are a few counties in Southern Illinois that are on the edge of a slight risk (level 2 of severe weather).
The Storm Prediction Center is in discussions of changing the term slight risk to an elevated risk. Some meteorologists in this market already use that term.
This is what I expect. The cloud cover should be lifting at any time. In the late afternoon hours, you could see one or two pop up storms that could turn severe.
This is in advance of an approaching cold front. There should be a line of storms that will move through the area from northwest to southeast. The best time for them to reach Franklin County is between 10 and 11 p.m. There is the possibility of one or two severe thunderstorm warnings being issued during this time.
The main threat is damaging winds, with large hail being secondary. The tornado threat is near zero.
Please follow the website and especially the Facebook page for any watches or warnings. Below is the Special Weather Statement involving the heat and the hazardous weather outlook. At the end is the seven day forecast, which I will post daily from this point on. The forecast will pinpoint on Franklin County.
If you are going north or west toward the St. Louis Metro area, there is a heat advisory for heat indices running from 105-110
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
…Heat Index Values of 100 to 105 degrees expected today over
most of the area…
Another afternoon of oppressive heat and humidity can be expected
today, leading to heat index values between 100 and 105 degrees.
The highest heat index values will be over southeast Missouri and
southern Illinois where isolated location may briefly reach 105.
Values of 100 to 102 are possible over southwest Indiana and west
Kentucky.
A few showers and thunderstorms are expected today, especially
near I-64, which will help keep the heat down at a few locations.
Be watchful for those especially impacted by the heat. Young
children, the elderly, persons with serious health issues, and
pets are especially susceptible to the heat during this time of
year.
Do not leave young children or pets in cars with closed
windows…this could become deadly situation in a short period of
time.
Be sure to drink plenty of water, take frequent rest breaks in the
shade or air conditioned shelter. Get out of the heat, if you are
experiencing health issues.
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY
.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight
There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and
evening generally north of Interstate 64 in southern Illinois and
southwest Indiana. There is a marginal risk north of a line from
Cape Girardeau Missouri to near Owensboro Kentucky. Damage wind
gusts and locally heavy rainfall will be the main hazards.
Heat and humidity will push heat index values into the 100 to 105
range across much of the area this afternoon.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Friday through Wednesday
There is a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms Friday afternoon
and evening across much of the area. Damaging wind gust and
locally heavy rainfall will be the main hazards.
A few thunderstorms are possible Sunday afternoon and evening.
Severe storms are not expected during that time.
Heat index values will reach the 100 to 105 range during Tuesday
and Wednesday afternoons, mainly over southeast Missouri and
adjacent areas of southern Illinois and west Kentucky.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…
Spotter activation may be necessary this afternoon and evening.
by ReAnne Palmer/ Rend Lake College Public Information
INA, Ill. (July 13, 2017) – A handful of Rend Lake College students finished a year-long journey through the Practical Nursing program yesterday with a pinning ceremony in front of friends and family. The event was a symbolic welcoming of the students into the nursing profession.
Alison Clarke addresses her classmates with words of advice and wisdom during the Pinning Ceremony yesterday afternoon.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
After Nursing Director Nancy Buttry opened the ceremony in the Private Dining Area and welcomed everyone in attendance, Alison Clarke of Waltonville spoke on behalf of her class. She said the decision to come back to nursing school was a hard one to make, but worthwhile.
“I debated whether I wanted to do [practical nursing] and last minute felt like it was a good choice to make. After the first day of class, I was 100 percent sure it was a great decision,” said Clarke. “Thank you so much to Lynn (Salesberry, Nursing Instructor) for putting in your time, patience, and energy, and for always being supportive. Our confidence levels have increased by far from where we came.”
Clarke ended her speech with a quote from Maya Angelou to sum up her hopes for all 16 graduates: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Afterward, Salesberry presented the pins to each individual student and lead the group in the Nightingale Pledge, an oath recited by nurses to uphold specific ethical standards, which is named after Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
In closing, Buttry took to the podium again to challenge the students to maintain those ethical standards only just mentioned moments before.
The Practical Nursing students in attednance at the Pinning Ceremony are, FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT, LeeAnn Garrison (Woodlawn), Katrina Templeton (Pinckneyville), Micah Neal (Benton), Mary Katherine Kopshever (Pinckneyville), and Alison Clarke (Waltonville); BACK ROW, Michele Dorris (Benton), Kamillia Hathaway (Bluford), Rebecca Heil (McLeansboro), Sabin Kohut (Pinckneyville), and Alyssa Russell (Broughton). Not pictured is Jared Allison (Benton), Jason Bernard (Belle Rive), Jami Cope (Pinckneyville), Kara Jarvis (Royalton), Glenda Lakin (McLeansboro), and Peighton Young (Carterville).
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
“It’s important to remember how the public sees nurses. Since 1999 when the Gallup Poll added nurses to the list of professions they evaluate for ethics and honesty, nursing has been number one, except for one year,” said Buttry. “That’s a real challenge for nurses to continue to uphold. This trust is something we must continue to work for every day. That’s my challenge to you as you go forward.”
Buttry also expressed her hopes that each student pass their upcoming nursing exam and thanked family and friends in the audience for their support for each student.
She continued, “It’s always important to say, talking for the students but also for myself, we are thankful to the family and friends who support these students through their education. It’s not easy to come to nursing school with the long hours that are needed and the getting up early and all of the studying. It is a challenge, and sometimes it’s very stressful. We appreciate that you’ve done that for them this far, and we hope you’ll continue to support them in the future as they move forward with their education.”
A reception was held after the ceremony concluded. To learn more about RLC’s Practical Nursing program, visit www.rlc.edu/allied-health/nursing.
.
Special Weather Statement from the National Weather Service Paducah KY .
..Heat Index Values 100 to 105 degrees again possible in some
areas of Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri Thursday
afternoon…
Another afternoon of oppressive heat and humidity can be expected
on Thursday, leading to heat index values between 100 and 105
degrees.
At this time, the highest heat index readings Thursday are
expected along Interstate 64 and between Harrisburg and Cairo in
Southern Illinois, then across the delta region of Southeast
Missouri toward the Missouri Bootheel.
Where rain and clouds develop, heat index values may briefly
lessen.
Be sure to drink plenty of water, take frequent rest breaks in the
shade or air conditioned shelter. Get out of the heat, if you are
experiencing health issues.
Be watchful for those especially impacted by the heat. Young
children, the elderly, persons with serious health issues, and
pets are especially susceptible to the heat during this time of
year.
Do not leave young children or pets in cars with closed
windows…this could become deadly situation in a short period of
time.
Heat index values should fall through Thursday evening, outside
of existing areas of rain.
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/35866955/body-recovered-from-mississippi-river-at-grand-tower
GRAND TOWER, IL – (Courtney Cruse, WSIL. TV. Please Click on this link above for the full story. Here is an excerpt below)
Authorities in Jackson County have confirmed that at least one body has been recovered from the Mississippi River.
The body of David Totten, 50, of Du Quoin was recovered from the river early Wednesday morning.
Around 8:30 Tuesday evening the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department received a call from Southern Skyz Aviation, who was assisting in the search for Totten and his 13-year-old nephew Paul Johnson. The pair went missing Sunday while swimming in the river during a family outing in Grand Tower.
