Arial view of the Benton Airiport. (shashak.com image)
Activities of Benton Airport Board remain under scrutiny
April 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Grace Pytlinski of Waltonville seated as new RLC Student Trustee
April 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment
ReAnne Palmer – Rend Lake College Media Services
Grace Pytlinski, CENTER, was seated tonight as the 2017-18 Student Trustee during the Board meeting. She is pictured with Board of Trustees Chair Eric Black, LEFT, and President Terry Wilkerson, RIGHT.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Waltonville’s Grace Pytlinski was seated as the 2017-18 Rend Lake College Student Trustee tonight during the monthly meeting. Pytlinski replaced Eric Schumm of Wayne City and follows in the footsteps of her older sister Claire who sat on the board during the 2015-16 school year.
Pytlinski is a freshman double major, focusing on Agriculture Business and Production Management. At RLC, she is active in the Collegiate FFA (Future Farmers of America) and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. In February, Pytlinski was also crowned RLC’s Homecoming Queen. In her spare time, she is completing internship hours at Syngenta as a general assistant.
After she leaves RLC, Pytlinski said she plans to attend a four-year university, possibly Murray State, to work on her bachelor’s degree in Plant and Soil Science. She hopes to become an agronomist.
But before she leaves, she has a big seat to fill. As Student Trustee, Pytlinski represents the student body and has an advisory vote during each monthly Board of Trustees meeting. She said she’s excited for the new challenge.
“I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunity to represent both the Agriculture Department and the student body on such a large scale,” said Pytlinski. “I look forward to getting to work with the Board and staff at Rend Lake, on both a personal and professional level. It will be a new experience; however, I know the staff at RLC will be more than willing to help me along the way.”
Pytlinski said she initially heard about the position when her sister held it two years prior, but encouragement from one of her agriculture professors gave her the final push and she decided to run.
“[Associate Professor] Kathy Craig asked me to run for the position,” she said. “I was interested, because it is a great way to form relations with people who truly care about your best interest and will be there to help you, even after your time at Rend Lake is through. I also enjoy the idea of getting to represent the student body, getting to be their voice, and having the opportunity to make sure their voices are heard.”
Pytlinski continued, “I think Rend Lake is a spectacular college and I have greatly enjoyed my first year as a student. I look forward to having a chance to help the college continue to strive at its highest potential. I would also like to thank the student body for voting for me as their 2017-18 Student Trustee, and greatly look forward to getting to represent them.”
Outside of school, she enjoys farming, hunting, fishing, trapshooting, and spending time with her family and friends.
Rauner: State trip isn’t campaigning
April 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment
BOST LEADS HOUSE EFFORT IN SUPPORT OF AMERICAN STEEL
April 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Press release from congressman Mike Bost’s office
Washington, DC –U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) and other members of the Metro East Congressional Delegation sent a letter to United States Department of Commerce (DOC) Secretary Wilbur Ross urging the agency to ensure that proper dumping margins are placed on unfairly traded steel imports from Korea. Favorable margins could improve prospects for domestic steelmakers, including U. S. Steel’s Granite City Works in the Metro East.
“We have seen the harm that unfair and illegal trade practices have done to our steel industry—most recently with the idling of Granite City Works in Madison County,” said Rep. Bost. “Congress has enacted legislation providing the Department of Commerce with the appropriate tools and authority to combat unfair trade practices and I fully expect them to apply these in a manner that helps protect and put our steelmakers back to work. There is no question that American steel can compete with anyone in the world, given a fair playing field.”
“We appreciate Congressman Bost’s continued leadership on strong enforcement of U.S. trade laws and advocacy on behalf of United States Steel and Granite City,” said Suzanne Rich Folsom, United States Steel Corporation General Counsel and Senior Vice President for Government Affairs.
U. S. Steel Corporation is party to an ongoing trade remedy case alleging that South Korean steel producers are dumping – selling at below market prices — Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) into the United States market. Recently, the DOC revised and reduced its temporary preliminary margins on South Korean OCTG imports, resulting in a flood of South Korean steel into the United States market. The Metro East delegation’s letter questions this decision, and encourages the DOC to ensure proper dumping margins are put into place to address this flood of unfairly traded imports and to provide certainty to domestic producers and workers.
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Benton council approves fire truck financing
April 11, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Thompsonville First Baptist Church to perform He’s Alive April 14th to 16th
April 11, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Kevin Smith (left) and Renee Anderson (center) discuss the drama with News 3 This Morning anchor Callie Carroll
Valier homeowners soon to see reduction in insurance rates
April 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment
by Steve Dunford
From the Valier FD Facebook page
Homeowners in the village of Valier will be paying cheaper insurance premiums, due to the Valier Volunteer Fire Department receiving a rating from the Insurance Service Office of a four.
The Insurance Service Office provides the guidelines for underwriting for major insurance companies. On average most small village departments the size of Valier, have a rating of seven. The fire suppression rating is on a scale from one being the best, to ten being the worst.
The rating will go into effect July 1st. Please check with your insurance agent for possible reductions in your rates.
Valier Fire Chief Mike Gulley gave the following reasons for the rating improved from a six to a four: “He said first of all his department is dedicated to training. Second he said they have upgraded equipment , especially with two newer fire trucks. Infrastructure upgrades in the village, including a new water tower, which increased hydrant flows added to the improved rate. He also cited improvment in the record system.”
Congratulations to Chief Gulley and the rest of the volunteers of the Valier Fire Department for this accomplishment. Most of all thank you to them and all the rest of the local departments for providing fire protection at all times of the night, in adverse weather conditions, and especially on holidays.
Here is a reminder from the department’s Facebook page. During severe weather events, the First Baptist Church and the Second Baptist Church, will be open to provide shelter for the residents of the community.
46TH REND LAKE WATER FESTIVAL – MAY 10-13, 2017
April 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment
BENTON, IL – Please click for the schedule for the Rend Lake Water Festival, from the Benton-West City Chamber of Commerce. Here is the theme this year. 2017 Theme: Communities Moving Forward! With the upcoming construction, new opportunities coming to our area in the coming years, and the turbulence of 2016 – we think this is an optimistic attitude for 2017. We encourage parade entries to celebrate how you think we are moving forward. Business expansion, community programs, our youth achievements on the field and in the classroom, our military & public safety services, the Eclipse, increased tourism and recreation activities, our rich history and traditions all contribute to our community – and the goals of becoming an even more prosperous area for future generations. Let’s make it great!! Benton police make recent arrests
April 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment
On April 7th, 2017 Benton Police conducted a traffic stop in the 1200 block of the public square. Through investigation, police arrested Donald T. Taylor III, for driving on a suspended license. Taylor was transported to the Franklin County Jail.
On April 7th, 2017 Benton Police were dispatched to the 1000 block of North McLeansboro Street in reference to a domestic disturbance. Through investigation, police arrested Matthew R. Parrish, age 26, of Benton for aggravated domestic battery and unlawful interference with the reporting of domestic violence. Parrish was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
On April 8th, 2017 Benton Police conducted a traffic stop on Hwy 37 North for a speeding violation. Through investigation, police arrested Jacob T. Kubow, age 21, of Benton for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Kubow was transported to the Franklin County Jail.
On April 8th, 2017 Benton Police were dispatched to the 300 block of South Main Street in reference to a fight in progress. Through investigation, police arrested Terry R. Parkhill, age 40, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear. Parkhill was transported to the Franklin County Jail.
On April 8th, 2017 Benton Police were dispatched to the Country Hearth motel located at 711 W. Main Street to assist West City PD in reference to a domestic disturbance. Through investigation, police arrested Kevin M. Dillon, age 26, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear. Dillon was transported to the Franklin County Jail.
On April 9th, 2017 Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Spani and Commercial Street. Through investigation, police arrested Gary D. Gisher Jr, age 47, of Benton for driving under the influence and resisting a peace officer. Gisher was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
On April 9th, 2017 Benton Police were dispatched to Huck’s located at 102 N. McLeansboro Street in reference to counterfeit money. Through further investigation, police located and arrested Jason J. Dewey, age 42, of Villa Grove for forgery. Dewey was transported to the Franklin County Jail for processing.
On April 9th, 2017 Benton Police were dispatched to the 100 block of W. Adams Street in reference to a domestic disturbance. Through investigation, police arrested Aaron P. Hite, age 38, of Benton for domestic battery and unlawful restraint. Hite was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
Marginal risk for severe weather for Southern Illinois tonight
April 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment
There is a marginal risk for severe weather for the late evening, into the overnight hours for all of Southern Illinois.
There is the possibility for a pop up scattered thunderstorm this afternoon. This evening, the main activity will be in front of an approaching cold front.
Here is the Hazzardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service in Paducah, KY
.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop over the region this afternoon and tonight. A stray severe storm or two cannot be ruled out from southeast Missouri through southern Illinois and into southwest Indiana late this afternoon and this evening. Large hail and damaging winds will be possible, to go along with the more general lightning and locally heavy rainfall concerns. Strong south to southwest winds will gust 25 to 35 mph outside of thunderstorms today and this evening.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Tuesday through Sunday A chance of thunderstorms is forecast mainly for the southeast half of the region Tuesday. Locally heavy rainfall will be a concern, especially over west Kentucky. A chance of thunderstorms is forecast off and on across the region from Thursday through Sunday. At this time, the chance of organized severe thunderstorms is low. Lightning and locally heavy rainfall will be the primary concerns through this period.
We will keep you informed of any updates.
