Toler Cinema sold to investment group

by Steve Dunford

cinematreasures.org photo

BENTON, IL – Today, the former Toler Cinema building in Benton has been purchased from AMC.  The new investors have intentions to open a theater in the building.

I have just spoken with Maranda Rush, who broke the news earlier this evening on the social media page Talk Benton.  She is the former assistant manager of the theater, that closed on July 28, 2011.

After AMC purchased Kerasotes Theaters, AMC closed Toler and Cinema IV in Harrisburg a short time later.

The identity of the owners, and renovation plans will be released at a later date.  The investment group will be issuing a press release soon.  Please watch the website in the coming weeks for further information.

Slants win case- hope to Redskins owner given

WASHINGTON, DC-  Back on January 15th, I ran a link to an editorial from George Will, that the US Patent and Trademark Office  was trying to get an alternative rock band in Seattle, The Slants to change their name because of racial overtones.

The band of all Asian descent, had their case heard in the supreme court today, and it was a 8-0 decision saying they can use the name.  Justice Neil Gorsuch did not vote on the issue.

There is a case at the federal appeals level about trying to force the Washington Redskins to change their mascot.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jun/19/supreme-court-says-government-cant-refuse-disparag/

Above is the link to today’s story that ran in the Washington Times.

Below is the link to the editorial ran on January 15, 2017, in the Washington Post.

This government office is trying to shut down nasty and naughty names

 

 

 

Apartment fire in Benton today

by Steve Dunford

 

Southern Illinois Fire Incidents photo

BENTON, IL –   Benton Firefighters were toned to 1412 Della St. (Behind Franklin Hospital) to an apartment fire this morning around 10:15 a.m.

The fire was contained, as only West City was called for mutual aid.  There was not a MABAS box alarm issued.

A spokesman for the Benton Fire Department says cause is undetermined at this time, and there is an undisclosed amount of damage.

State Police: Don’t break car windows to rescue hot dogs

https://www.ilnews.org/news/statewide/state-police-don-t-break-car-windows-to-rescue-hot/article_7176afd8-514b-11e7-8152-a7a9710e10db.html?utm_medium=social

(Benjamin Yount, Illinois News Newtork.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt.)

Illinois State Police says do not take matters in your own hands when you see a pet trapped in a car. Call law enforcement immediately. (Shuttercock photo)

You hear the warning every summer, don’t leave your dog in a hot car. But the Illinois State Police have a new warning about trying to rescue those hot dogs: don’t break into a car to save it.

Illinois State Police Master Sergeant Jason Bradley said this is the time of years when people get very concerned about animals left inside cars.

Bradley said leaving a dog in a hot car can be a crime. But it is absolutely a crime for someone to break a car’s window, regardless of why.

West Frakfort police/fire have a very busy May

From West Frankfort City Commissioner Tara Chambers

Spencer Metro, receiving a Blue Lives Matter American flag signed by several law enforcement officers in the county last fall. (Shared from Tara Chambers Facebook page)

What’s going on at the WFPD? According to Chief Irwin, quite a bit for the month of May. West Frankfort Police Officers responded to a whopping 2077 calls for the month, including 47 calls for traffic accidents, 12 of those accidents involving injuries. There were 258 traffic stops and 92 citations issues for the month of May, as well and 87 adult arrests made with 60 criminal charges resulting.

On the other end of WFFD and WFPD’s busy day is the dispatchers that make it all possible. West Frankfort Dispatchers do a fantastic job and work harder than most realize, answering 4916 calls for the month of May alone, including 721 9-1-1 emergency calls and 258 walk-in requests being answered.

Power outage in Benton/Logan

by Steve Dunford

Ameren Illinois, just reported on their website of 1317 customers without power in the city of Benton and 28 residents in  Logan without power.

Ameren has not given an estimated time of ETA for local law enforcement agencies.

It seems like most of the outages are on the east side of town according to social media posts.

I will update information as it comes along.

UPDATE:  3:35 p.m.  Benton Fire Department reported that there is a power pole on fire that caused the outage.   This was around a half hour ago.  Ameren is saying on their site 3,400 customers are out, which includes most of Benton and West City.

UPDATE:  4:45 p.m. Ameren is giving a restoration time of 6:00 p.m.

 

Mistrial declared in Bill Cosby sex assault case but retrial planned

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-cosby-idUSKBN1980B9

Actor and comedian Bill Cosby (C) reacts after a judge declared a mistrial in his sexual assault trial at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pennsylvania, U.S., June 17, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

NORRISTOWN, PA (Joseph Ax – Reuters News Service.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

A Pennsylvania judge on Saturday declared a mistrial in Bill Cosby’s sexual assault case after the jury said it could not reach a verdict, but prosecutors said they would retry Cosby and he still faces a slew of civil lawsuits.

The jurors, who spent 53 hours debating whether Cosby was guilty or innocent, told Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas Judge Steven O’Neill they could not reach unanimous verdicts on whether Cosby was guilty of three counts of aggressive indecent assault against college administrator Andrea Constand at his home near Philadelphia in 2004.

 

SPC Upgrades Franklin County to a slight risk of Severe Weather

by Steve Dunford

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman OK has upgraded an area into a Murrphysboro, to Marion, to Harrisburg, to Carmi and points Northward to a slight risk (level 2 0f 5) of severe weather.

The storms will be in front of an advancing cold front which should go through sometime tomorrow morning.

It should be a rough day weather-wise in Southeast Iowa, and Central Missouri and Illinois.  These storms are expected to weaken after dark.  Two factors will determine the intensity of them when they arrive to our region sometime after midnight.  First is the intensity of the storms in the area mentioned, and second the energy that is in the atmosphere left from a very hot an humid day in Southern Illinois.

Storm direction this evening should be southeast.

As long as there is a threat in the region, I will keep an eye, providing updates during the overnight hours.

 

WF School board combines assistant principal, athletic director job

http://www.wfgazette.com/news/school-board-combines-assistant-principal-athletic-director-job/article_a8bc2948-52b6-11e7-af64-bfc9f3872bc6.html

WEST FRANKFORT, IL – (Tim Hastings – West Frankfort Gazette.  Please Click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

The Frankfort School District 168 Board voted unanimously on May 30 to combine Frankfort Community High School (FCHS) assistant principal and athletic director posts.

“Our main focus in doing this was to deal with a financial burden,” said board president Gayle Crawford. “We are currently advertising for someone to fill the new position.”

Crawford said athletic director was already a part time post. Richard Glodich, who recently retired from the position, also taught driver’s education.

 

Franklin County Sheriff’s office arrest report 6/16/17

6-8-17 at 6:54 p.m. Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural Ewing that resulted in the arrest of Jamie E. Friar, 51, of Ina for aggravated assault.

6-9-17 at 5:11 pm Deputies took a complaint regarding the alleged violation of an order of protection. The investigation led to charges of unlawful violation of an order of protection being filed against Kevin M. Dillon Age 27 of Benton.

6-10-17 at 10:24 am a traffic stop in Benton led to the arrest of Merry M. Sinks Age 53 of Pittsburg for driving while license suspended.

6-11-17 at 12:07 am Deputies investigation of an illegally parked vehicle near Rend Lake led to the arrest of Kelsey A. Bate Age 23 of Valier for driving under the influence.

6-11-17 at 1:54 am a traffic stop near Rend Lake led to the arrest of William G. Murry Age 48 of Scheller for driving under the influence.

6-11-2017 at 7:47 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash in rural Sesser. A 2008 Dodge Avenger driven by Ethan L. Bowlin Age 39 of Sesser was southbound when it traveled off the roadway and struck an embankment. Bowlin was the sole occupant and was initially transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He was charged with driving under the influence, driving while license revoked, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, illegal transportation of alcohol and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

6-13-17 at 9:32 am Deputies investigated a minor traffic crash in Thompsonville that led to charges of driving while license revoked against Roy D. Powell Age 68 of Thompsonville.

6-15-17 at 2:24 am Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural Benton that resulted in the arrest of Casey A. Lampley Age 36 of Benton of theft.

6-15-17 at 3:03 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle crash on ll. Rt. 14 just west of Rend City Road. A 2001 Chevrolet Pickup Truck driven by Michael A. Diuguid Age 21 of Zeigler was westbound on Rt. 14 when he lost control, ran off the roadway and overturned prior to striking a tree. Diuguid was the sole occupant and received major injuries. He was transported to a St. Louis area hospital. The investigation is ongoing and alcohol is believed to have been a factor. Several area Fire Departments also assisted at the scene along with Abbott’s EMS.

6-15-17 at 12:38 pm Deputies investigated a battery complaint that had occurred the previous day at a residence in Whittington. The investigation led to the arrest of David L. Woods Age 37 of Whittington for aggravated battery.

6-15-17 at 12:30 pm Deputies initiated an investigation of an alleged sexual assault in rural Benton. The investigation has led to the arrest of Lester R. Carter Age 49 of Benton. Carter is being held in the Franklin County Jail on aggravated criminal sexual assault (a class x felony) and unlawful production of 5-20 cannabis plants (a class 4 felony). These are tentative charges pending review by the States Attorney’s Office. The investigation is ongoing and more charges are possible.

WARRANTS

6-1-17 Christopher W. Lowery Age 37 of McLeansboro. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

6-10-17 Anthony J. Willis Age 49 of Centralia. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

6-12-17 Terry L. Griffin Age 37 of Salem. Failure to appear on D.U.I.

6-12-17 Mikalean H. D. Barr Age 23 of Carbondale. Unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

6-12-17 Andrew C. Roberson Age 28 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

6-13-17 Aaron A. Hargett Age 18 of Benton. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

6-14-17 Brittani S. Anderson Age 30 of Herrin. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News