Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
HARRISBURG, IL- Several media sources are reporting a murder this morning in the 1400 block of Granger street in Harrisburg.
The two suspects are at large at this time. They are considered armed and dangerous.
Further information will be passed on as it becomes available.
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https://capitolfax.com/2017/06/15/idot-to-shut-down-road-work-on-july-1-if-no-budget-is-passed/
SPRINGFIELD, IL- (Rich Miller, Capitol Fax. Please click on link above to read the full story. Here is an excerpt)
Roadwork projects across Illinois could be on the chopping block as the state’s historic budget impasse continues.
The Illinois Department of Transportation will shut down roadwork statewide if lawmakers don’t pass a budget by the end of the month, officials announced Wednesday.
“Due to the General Assembly’s refusal to pass a balanced budget, the Illinois Department of Transportation loses its ability to pay contractors starting July 1,” IDOT communications director Guy Tridgell said in an email
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170615/rauner-calls-lawmakers-back-for-special-session
SPRINGFIELD, IL – (Springfield Journal-Register. Please click on the link above to read the full story. Here is an excerpt below)
Gov. Bruce Rauner has called lawmakers back to Springfield for a series of special sessions starting Wednesday.
The schedule will keep lawmakers in Springfield through June 30, which is the end of the state’s current fiscal year.
Bond rating agencies have threatened to drop the state’s bond rating to junk status if lawmakers don’t approve a budget before the July 1 start of the new fiscal year.
Republicans from the House and Senate outlined a plan Wednesday to end the budget stalemate. Their proposal will spend about $1.3 billion less than a plan approved by the Senate Democrats at the end of May.
Republicans also said they will accept tax hikes to balance the budget if Democrats will also go along with a number of reform ideas, including pension changes, workers compensation reforms, term limits on statewide elected officials and a four-year property tax freeze.
Benton – IL On Wednesday Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) released the following statement on the announcement that Rend Lake Resort is seeking a new operator.
“It is very exciting to hear that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has decided to take the first step to reopening Rend Lake Resort by seeking a new operator.” Severin said, “Rend Lake is a beautiful area and the resort brings so much to the local tourism industry. The renovated resort will also provide much needed jobs and revenue for Southern Illinois. I have been in weekly contact with the IDNR since the closing of the resort. Let’s keep up the momentum, and finish off this process that will once again make Rend Lake Resort an awesome tourist destination.”
ReAnne Palmer – RLC Public Information
INA, IL– Two training courses for local miners are coming to the Rend Lake College campus this summer. An annual refresher course will be held Thursday, June 29. Next month, a surface-only new miner training will meet Monday, July 17 – Wednesday, July 19.
The Annual Refresher Training for Surface and Underground miners class is scheduled from 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 29. The cost of the class is $50. The one-day training course will fulfill the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s requirements for eight hours of annual retraining for anyone working in a coal mine. Safety and first aid will be among the topics covered.
The Surface-Only New Miner Training will run from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. all three days. The cost of the class is $120 and participants must pre-register.
All training courses will be held in the Coal Mine Training Center on the Ina campus. For more information or to register, contact Joy Fitts at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1261 or Sally Heathcoat at Ext. 2373.
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/35670574/suspect-arrested-after-fleeing-scene-of-fiery-wreck
WSIL photo
WEST FRANKFORT – (Joe Ragusa, WSIL -TV. Please click on the link above for the full story. Here is an excerpt below.)
A car wreck ends with the vehicle overturned and on fire and with the driver in handcuffs.
It happened around 2 a.m. Thursday at the corner of E. St. Louis Street and Horn Street.
No one was injured but the driver ran from the scene.
by Steve Dunford
At 5:42 p.m. Benton and West City firefighters responded to the KOA campground on DuQuoin St. in Benton for a camper fire. With two other structures in danger. Amount of loss is undetermined.
Zeigler emergency officials responding to a previous incident. (Zeigler fire department photo)
Just after midnight, Zeigler firefighters responded to a chemical situation on Coxspur street, on the north side of the city limits. There were some evacuations that took place. Residents were allowed to return to their homes around 2:00 a.m. Coxspur Street was reopened around 3:00 a.m.
At 3:10 a.m. Buckner and West City firefighters responded to a single vehicle accident on Route 14 at the Big Muddy Bridge. There was a possible extrication. Updates on the accident will be shared as information becomes available.
UPDATE 4:10 p.m. I just spoke with Buckner Fire Chief David Dolderer, and he said the accident occurred just west of Rend City Road. There was a young man injured and he is in critical but stable condition. Coello Fire Department was also called for mutual aid.
U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) issued the following statement regarding this morning’s shooting of House GOP Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), members of his security detail, and Capitol Hill staff in Alexandria, Virginia:
“James Hodgkinson contacted my office 10 times, beginning in June 2016 and continuing through May of this year. While he continually expressed his opposition to the Republican agenda in Congress, the correspondence never appeared threatening or raised concerns that anger would turn to physical action. Had we any indication that Mr. Hodgkinson posed a threat to anyone’s safety, we would have taken the appropriate steps to alert U.S. Capitol Police immediately. My prayers continue to be with Steve Scalise, as well as members of the security detail and congressional staff who were injured in this heartless attack.”
Earlier today, Congressman Bost issued this statement about the shooting.
“With reports indicating that Wednesday morning’s shooter is from my district, this is a tragedy that certainly hits close to home. As we continue to gather information, Tracy and I would like to send our prayers to my friend and colleague, Steve Scalise, as well as members of the security detail and congressional staff who were injured. We live in challenging times and the political rhetoric has been turned up to an alarming level. This should serve as a wake-up call for all of us to step back from the battle lines and come together to strengthen our nation.”
State Representative Terri Bryant speaking at the press conference this afternoon, with State Senator Dale Fowler left and State Representative John Cavaletto, right. (Mt. Vernon Register-News photo)
WHITTINGTON, IL — (Tesa Glass – Mt. Vernon Register News. Please click on the link above for the full story. Here is an excerpt below.)
The Rend Lake Resort at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area will be reopened.
“There has been a lot of interest show in the resort since it’s close,” said Brent Krebs, Illinois Department of Natural Resources chief of staff. A tremendous amount of work has gone into this.”
The facility closed in December 2016 after the state terminated its lease with Rend Lake Resort, Inc.
Krebs said Wednesday afternoon the safety issues and others will be addressed through a partnership between the state and the new lessees. Official information on the request for bids states “It should be noted that this facility is offered ‘AS IS.’ The agency makes no guarantees or representation in regard to the condition of any of the resort facility or contents thereof
ReAnne Palmer – Rend Lake College Public Information
Check off those last-minute items on your “to-do” list this summer to get ready for fall classes at Rend Lake College. Academic advisors are hosting four late night advisement dates in June and July for students to register for classes. Students can also visit many different offices during Super Saturday in August to do everything from registering to picking up textbooks.
Aiming to work around everyone’s schedule, advisors will host late night appointments from 4 – 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28; Tuesday, July 11; Monday, July 24; and Tuesday, July 25. All appointments will be held in the Administration Building on the Ina campus.
By appointment, students can register now during regular summer hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on the Ina and Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville campuses. Walk-in registration, with no appointment required, will begin Monday, July 31 on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Later in the summer, Super Saturday will be held from 9:30 a.m. – noon on August 12. That morning, students can visit a number of college offices, including Academic Advising and Testing, Financial Aid, Student Records, and the Business offices. Professionals will be available to help students take the placement test, enroll in courses, discuss financial aid, obtain a student identification card, and get a parking sticker. The RLC Bookstore will also be open so students can purchase or rent textbooks.
Those interested in taking the placement test at noon should call ahead to reserve an appointment for Super Saturday. No other testing times are available. Payment for the fall semester is due at the time of registration, and those without processed financial aid will need to establish a payment plan.
Limited seats are available for late night appointments and Super Saturday is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students with questions or those interested in enrolling should contact the Academic Advisement Center at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1266 or advising@rlc.edu. Classes start Monday, August 14. Students can also visit www.rlc.edu to see the Fall 2017 course schedule.
