Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) is announcing his appointment to the Illinois Coal Development Board to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of former Senator David Luechtefeld (R-Okawville).
“I am looking forward to this new role on the Coal Development Board and hope that it will be a tool for revitalizing our coal industry in Southern Illinois,” says Fowler. “It is my hope that as the energy market rebounds, our Illinois coal miners will return to the industry.”
The Illinois Coal Development Board promotes and develops an annual agenda for research and methodologies to increase use of Illinois coal resources, and advises the Office of Coal Development and Illinois Clean Coal Institute on coal research and development policy and projects.
The Board is a bipartisan breakdown of legislators from the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives. It also involves representatives of various facets from the Illinois coal industry.
Dear Friends,
It was another busy week in both the district and Springfield. This past week the district saw an influx of visitors as the United Field Trialers’ Association held their National Championship at Rend Lake. In Springfield there has been some movement on House bills that I have been proud to support. One of them denying lawmakers a pay raise and the other ensuring veterans are getting the care they need. Here is a recap of the week:
Field Trialers’ National Championship (Rend Lake)
On Saturday I attended the awards banquet for the United Field Trialers’ Association’s National Championship at Rend Lake Golf Course. More than 600 hunters from all over the country came to Rend Lake to compete for 10 days. This was a great event and brought business and positive attention to Rend Lake and the surrounding area. Thanks to the Department of Natural Resources, Rend Lake Conservancy, City of Sesser, Rick Linton, and everyone else who helped bring this event to Southern Illinois.
Helping Paws – Veterans Passes Committee
On Tuesday I was able to pass my first bill out of the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee. HB 2897 seeks to include veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and/or depression among the list of disabilities eligible to receive a service dog through the Helping Paws Service Dog Program. Read my full statement below about the bill.
Legislation introduced by State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) to provide additional assistance to veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression was unanimously approved by the House Judiciary-Criminal committee on Tuesday, March 7.
The legislation, HB 2897, would expand the Helping Paws Service Dog Program to allow veterans with PTSD or depression to be able to receive a service dog free of charge. The Helping Paws Service Dog Program is facilitated by the Department of Corrections where offenders train dogs and provide them to people with certain disabilities.
“Many veterans in Illinois could benefit from a service dog,” Severin said, “This bill will further help us fulfill our obligation to care for our veterans when they return home while utilizing a highly effective program that is already in existence. I want to thank my colleagues in the House for recognizing the importance of this bill and I look forward to HB 2897 receiving a vote on the House floor.”
A Bill Denying Pay Raise for Lawmakers Passes the House
Legislation denying state lawmakers a pay increase passed through the House on Thursday. As I’ve said in the past, lawmaker’s pay is currently considered a continuing appropriation, so every year the General Assembly takes a vote to deny what is supposed to be an automatic pay raise. It is ridiculous to think anyone in Springfield deserves a pay raise right now. This is why I introduced identical legislation at the beginning of the year. I am encouraged to see that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle feel the same way about the matter, and I encourage the Senate to put this bill on the Governor’s desk as soon as possible.
River to River Residential
On Friday I met with David Blaise of River to River Residential and had the opportunity to tour their community. River to River provides senior citizens with quality assisted living, which is customized to fit each resident’s needs. As someone who grew up working in human services I know that trying to ensure seniors have the proper assistance without taking away their independence is a tough task. Thank you to River to River for working so hard to for serving our community’s seniors.
Stay Connected
My office in Marion is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. You can email me directly through the Contact Form on my website at www.repseverin.com. My staff and I are here to serve you! So please feel free to share your opinions with us.
Pictured is, FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT, Destiny Drew, Brittany Atkins, Alexis Abney, Chelsey Dorris, Chris Prather, Adam Carter, Gavin Richardson, and Hayllie Purdie; MIDDLE ROW, Amy Cocke, Allison Stubblefield, Bethany Zinzilieta, Grante Hungate, Tony Tillman, Samantha Williford, Celia Summers, and Madison Hewitt; BACK ROW, Kolton Gulley, Colton Boatright, Harley West, Alexander Longfellow, Jeffrey Hayes, Hope Kahrhoff, Riddhi Rangoonwala, and Kiersten Owens.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
BENTON, IL – Two dozen seniors at Benton Consolidated High School are making the transition from Rangers to Warriors after signing up for Summer and Fall 2017 classes at Rend Lake College. The students took advantage of College Signing Day to register with RLC’s Academic Advisors this week.
RLC Academic Advisors will visit Christopher, Norris City-Omaha-Enfield, Waltonville, Wayne City, and Woodlawn high schools in the next week to register interested seniors for classes at RLC next fall. Advisors will visit all 13 in-district high schools in the coming weeks.
Registration for Summer 2017 is going on now for all students with classes starting the week of June 5-9. Fall 2017 registration for sophomores begins Monday, April 3 by appointment. For incoming students, Fall 2017 enrollment appointments begin Monday, April 17. The Fall semester begins the week of August 14-18.
According to the U. S. Department of Education, college graduates typically earn more and are less likely to face unemployment than those with a high school diploma. Over the course of a lifetime, the average worker with a postsecondary degree will earn approximately $1 million more than a worker without a postsecondary education. In fact, by 2020, an estimated two-thirds of job openings will require postsecondary education or training.
RLC is a comprehensive community college located in Ina in Southern Illinois. Rend Lake College offers more than 100 associate degree and occupational certificate programs, preparing students for transfer to a four-year university or direct entry into the workforce. In addition, RLC offers personal interest classes, continuing education, business & industry training, computer workshops and much more. To learn more about RLC, visit www.rlc.edu/journey.
-ReAnne Palmer Rend Lake College Media Services
Our run of an early spring is about to come to a close. It will be sunny with highs in the mid 70’s today.
Tonight there is a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms with a low in the mid 30’s. There is a marginal risk of severe weather for Franklin County tonight.
Tomorrow will be sunny with the high in the mid 40’s.
Here is were things get interesting. Friday night there is a small chance of snow. It will continue all day Saturday ending Saturday night.
KFVS TV Laura Wibbermeyer said 1″ to 3″ inches for all the Channel 12 viewing area. I have looked at a few models and most of them are consistent with 2″ to 4″ inches here in Franklin County.
Here is a couple statements issued by the National Weather Service in Paducah regarding the hodgepodge of weather we are slated to experience.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
…Light Snows Possible Saturday Into Saturday Evening… Arctic air will surge through the area late tonight through Friday. Meanwhile, an upper level disturbance will drop southeastward into the region, bringing a good chance of some light snow to much of the region Saturday into Saturday evening. If temperatures can warm into the middle or upper 30s the snow may mix with or change to rain over portions of the region in the afternoon. Relatively warm ground and road conditions along with temperatures hovering around or just above freezing should minimize travel impacts through the day. However, if the snow comes down hard at times, or if snow lasts much past sunset when temperatures fall into the 20s for good, there could be some impacts, especially on elevated roadways. All precipitation should exit the region by midnight.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight A good chance of thunderstorms is forecast across the region late this afternoon and primarily this evening. A few of these storms could reach severe levels over the southwestern half of our region, with the emphasis on southeast Missouri and the Purchase Area of Kentucky. Large hail will be the primary concern for individual storms, but if they develop into a line or clusters, damaging winds will become the primary concern.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Friday through Wednesday Some snowfall will be possible Saturday into Saturday evening. Relatively warm antecedent surface conditions would likely limit overall impacts, especially during the daylight hours. However, conditions could deteriorate some if snow were to last much past sunset and temperatures fall into the 20s.
FREEZE WARNING
The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Freeze Warning, which is in effect from 10 PM Friday to 8 AM CST Saturday. * TEMPERATURE…Mid 20s along the I-64 corridor to around 30 near the border region of southeast Missouri. * IMPACTS…The forecast temperatures will likely damage fruit trees, especially those trees that have already budded out such as peach trees. Other plants that are similarly ahead of schedule for the spring growing season could also be impacted. Please take precautions to protect any sensitive plants. The cold nights will likely continue well into next week. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Freeze Warning means sub-freezing temperatures are imminent or highly likely. These conditions will kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.
As always we will keep you updated on franklincounty-news.com for all the latest weather information tonight for severe weatehr and the possible wintry precipitation events for Saturday and Monday. We will also share any cancellations.
