Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
This Mouthwatering Ice Cream Trail In Illinois Is All You’ve Ever Dreamed Of And More
Please click on the link above from the onlyinyourstate.com website, for the story by Elizabeth Crozier. There are several pictures of the Illinois Ice Cream Trail.
There are several pictures. All the places featured are from Southern Illinois. The trail goes from Marion to Centralia.
(Marshall Shepherd, Forbes Magazine. Please click on the link for the full story. Here is an excerpt below.)
Map provided by NASA
A rare total solar eclipse will happen in the United States on August 21st, 2017. It will be a spectacle to see and the word is getting out to the public. Inevitably with science, misconceptions and inaccurate statements are emerging on social media. As a climate scientist, I am used to the public shaping its own understanding of science based on personal experiences or interpretations. People believe that deserts do not get cold or that climate change is not real because it snows in the winter, but I digress. It is important for scientists to help increase science literacy using “teachable moments.” I thought that it would be useful to clear up some of the emerging misconceptions about the Great American Eclipse that I noticed on my own social media pages. I suspect that they represent a sample of thoughts by others.
Photo provided to Illinois HS Glory Days by Wayne Arnold
http://www.illinoishsglorydays.com/id224.html
NOTE: There will be an excerpt of a piece submitted to Illinois High School Glory Days by long time Rend Lake College instructor Wayne Arnold. He was a graduate of Goode-Barren Township High School (Now Sesser-Valier.)
When I was the pastor of East Side Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, Wayne had family that attended there. We became well acquainted. At the time, he was still a season ticket holder for Sesser-Valier sporting events.
Please click on the link above for the full story. – Steve
by Steve Dunford
SESSER, IL – There have been several circles in my life, that brought me in contact with Jim and Carleen Roberts of Sesser.
Jim and Carleen Roberts
When I was working my way through college at McDonald’s in West City, I worked with Carleen, as well has her two kids Julie and Craig. She was one of three “McDonald’s moms from the Sesser area. Mary Lou Galloway was another one at West City. When I transferred to West Frankfort to be a shift manager, I worked with Kay Wangler in Sesser. They served as a mother figure to all of us teenagers that worked there.
Carleen would bring goodies for us kids to eat, especially around Christmas time. She has made pies for people as long as I can remember.
With my dad being a long time Free Will Baptist preacher, I would run into their family at denominational events as well. The family has attended Bear Point FWB Church, just west of Sesser-Valier school. Their children grew up in the church until they moved from the area.
The couple spends the winter in Frostproof, Florida, which several people from Southern Illinois spend there. Jim always posts pictures of nice crappie, and occasionally some bluegill that he catches down there. Here in Franklin County, it is not frost proof there. When we had the freezing rain event last winter, Jim posted a nice mess of fish. I was a little jealous and my mouth was watering.
After Jim retired from Consolidated Coal north of Sesser, (formerly Inland Steel), along with the couple snowbirding south for the winter, Jim comes back home and plants a huge garden, He as well, rents some empty lots in Sesser. Carleen specializes in fried pies.
Jim was a presenter for the University of Illinois cooperative services in seminars for vegetable farming. Jim and Carleen attend the West Frankfort Farmers Market since the beginning on Tuesdays, and the Benton Farmers Market at the Civic Center on Thursdays.
Over the years, I have consumed a lot of fried pies. On most Tuesday’s since I moved to WF, I make the six block trek to the park to consume some fried pies. From looking at me you can tell I like to eat, and it is a well two bucks spent.
The couple has ran a vegetable stand at their home on the north side of Sesser for years. I didn’t buy much veggies off of them over the year because I had my own garden. It is something that I miss since I live in an apartment now. There is nothing like planting your own food like watching it grow. Next year, I might do some “Oliver Wendell Douglas farming”
The West Frankfort Farmers Market is every Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the park, in the shelter behind the Aquatics Center. Carleen’s pies go quick. Next Monday, I will run a story on all the venders and what they have for sale. The market is well supported. If you have not been there, check it out.
Danny Thomas, our Song Leader and deacon at Calvary Baptist Church has a saying when someone is a good person, they are one of the good guys or gals. This fits Jim and Carleen.
WEST FRANKFORT, IL – (Logan Gay, WPSD – TV. Please click on the link for the full story and video. Here is an excerpt below.)
WPSD photo
A woman in West Frankfort, Illinois, almost lost her life in a flood in April. Her car was almost completely submerged in water when first responders and good Samaritans jumped in the water to save her.
The three men were recognized at an event Tuesday by Illinois State Rep. Dave Severin.
April 29 is a day Dustin Shelton will never forget. He and his family were traveling to West Frankfort to visit relatives when his car approached a flooded road. He got out of his car, and was told that a woman was trapped in her car in the water.
Woman Has Wedding After Son Tragically Dies. Then He Shows Up, Leaving Everyone In Tears
(Abby Sensening, gladwire.com. Please click on the link above for this uplifting story. Here is an excerpt below.)
Gladwire photo
It was finally the day. The day every woman waits for. Their wedding day. Becky Turney was so excited to walk down the aisle to her fiancé Kelly Turney. But there was just one thing missing. Her son Triston Green.
Triston had passed away at the young age of 19 just nearly 2 years ago. It was hard, and all she wanted was for him to be there with her. Little did she know that a part of him would be.
Back in 2015, Jason Kilby received a heart transplant that saved his life. And that heart belonged to Triston. Becky and Jacob had been in contact on various occasions, but they never actually met in person. So when he appeared at the wedding, Becky couldn’t control her excitement.
by Steve Dunford
On May 14th, WDQN, 1580-AM in DuQuoin, ceased operations. The station would sign on the air occasionally to keep their FCC license in compliance.
This morning, at 5:30 a.m. the station signed back on the air. The station will be managed in a partnership with two Perry County papers the Pinckneyville Press and the DuQuoin Weekly.
I spoke with the publisher of the Perry County publications, Jeff Egbert last night. He said the tradition of the station with all local programming will exist that the Showalter family always had with the station.
In the past the format of the station has been “Top 80” with a mix of top 40 country and top 40 rock/pop. Egbert said the playlist will be updated.
The playlist will be adult contemporary/lite rock in the daytime hours, with mixing in country in the evening hours. The station will broadcast 24 hours now, with going to a classic rock format overnight.
The studio of WDQN in DuQuoin, from the station’s Facebook page. The station is located on the north edge of DuQuoin in the village of St. Johns
The Sunday Morning show will be changed to a Contemporary Christian format instead of Southern Gospel. With WXAN in Ava very strong in the Perry County market, Egbert feels he can introduce more groups to the listeners such as the David Crowder Band, Skillet, Third Day, Casting Crowns, and Mercy Me.
Being a High School Sports guy, I asked about if the station would bring back DuQuoin High School sports. Egbert said “definitely, Indian Football will be back on the air in week one.” It is the plan that Steve Marek, the long time voice of the Indians will be at the mic.
I also asked Egbert about the FM signal of WDQN, 95.9, which Three Angels Broadcasting out of Thompsonville has programing on. He said Three Angels purchased the frequency. It has been assumed it was leased by several individuals. It is his goal, however, to have the station one day simulcast on FM.
I am going to add an editorial comment here. With the DuQuoin Evening Call now a weekly publication, WDQN is the only daily media outlet in Perry County. There was a big hole in the Perry County media when the station went dark.
The last time I pulled up some numbers on our website I was amazed of the growth in Perry County. Franklin County will be primary and it always will be, but you will see more coverage in the surrounding counties.
Like Perry County, there has been a whole in Franklin County with the Benton Evening News going to a weekly publication and the West Frankfort Daily American shutting its doors. The Gazette in both towns really helped fill the gap. WQRL and franklincounty-news.com are the only two daily sources of news in this county.
I am green in the media business. One thing I have observed, and the majority of seasoned people in this business that I have picked their mind agree. Strong media sources strengthen the other. With WDQN back on the air, it will make this website and other publications and media outlets across Southern Illinois stronger.
by Reece Rutland/Rend Lake College Public Information
INA, IL – In 50 years, 20 individuals have presided over the Rend Lake College Board of Trustees as Chairs. The other executive body on campus, the Rend Lake College Foundation Board of Directors, has had 13 leaders preside over that entity since its revitalization in 1979. But, only one man can claim to have done both.
When RLC stalwart Hunt Bonan isn’t excelling in his professional life as the CEO of Peoples National Bank and one of the most recognized bankers in Illinois, he’s been busy helping shape Rend Lake College into the institution it is today by being one of the longest-serving members on both the Board of Trustees (1997-2009, plus a three-month temporary stint from February to April 2017) and the RLCF Board of Directors (seated in 1988).
Serving on both boards is impressive in and of itself. That is a feat very few can claim.
But, to hold the leadership position on both boards is a feat Bonan has all to himself.
And, it doesn’t stop there. For a period of time (2004-06) Bonan held both the Board Chair and the RLCF Board Presidency (1995-2008) at the same time, heading the two most influential bodies on Ina’s campus while doing an outstanding job at both.
“Hunt has served as a cornerstone for the college in continuing to insure the partnership with the Foundation remains strong and true to the college and its mission,” said President Terry Wilkerson.
Bonan’s legacy is marked by his willingness to do whatever necessary to ensure the success of RLC’s students.
Throughout his history with the Foundation, he has continuously put his actions ahead of words. When it came to the iconic RLC Generations of Excellence Campaign, the RLCF Children’s Center campaign and the Music Program Renovation Campaign, Bonan and his People’s National Bank were quick to lead the charge, causing many more to follow suit.
“I believe you will be hard pressed to find a finer gentleman than Hunt Bonan. For nearly 30 years, he has generously shared his time, expertise and resources as a very active Foundation Board Director. He has been instrumental in the success of several Foundation projects on campus, including the most recent addition to the RLCF Children’s Center. Hunt’s genuine desire and commitment to helping our students, our institution and our community is truly a blessing, “said Foundation CEO Kay Zibby-Damron.
For his involvement, contributions, leadership and longevity, Bonan has received many accolades from both the college and the Foundation.
He was one of the first to win RLCF’s prestigious Presidential Award in 1995. He was one of four selected for the inaugural honor, alongside Mildred Fitzgerrell (Sesser), Richard Garner (Sesser) and Howard L. Payne (Benton).
Bonan speaking at the Rend Lake College Foundation’s Annual Dinner
Bonan also holds a Foundation Gold designation for his numerous contributions over the years.
In another first, Bonan was presented with the first-ever Hourglass Award in 2009 for his lengthy commitment to the college, Foundation and the district’s students.
At the 2013 RLC Foundation Annual Dinner, Bonan was saluted once again, this time along with Rich Yunkus. They were presented with special unnamed awards for their over-and-above efforts during 25- and 20-year tenures, respectively.
Over the years, Bonan has been, or remains, involved with numerous other organizations, including but not limited to his involvement with: the Illinois Bankers Association (IBA) Board of Directors, serving as Chair in 2004; a board member and officer of the Jefferson County Illinois Economic Development Corporation; the Hamilton Memorial Hospital Foundation Board, the Board of Trustees for Cedarhurst Center for the Arts and a board member of the SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation.
For his dedication, Bonan received the Citizen of the Year award from the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce in 2008 and was voted “Most Community Involved” in Jefferson County. In 2017 he was given the Jefferson County Presidents Award.
The youth and directors from TFBC that attended World Changers in Huntington. TOP ROW – Cade Dixon, John Dixon Jacob Dixon, Kevin Smith, Gavin Gaylor, Mitchell Kerley, Seth Clark. BOTTOM ROW: Renee Anderson Bailey Clem, Olivia Kerley, Kenlee Smith, Chole Mays, Emma Dixon, Makenzie Crisel. NOT PICTURED: Macy Clem, Ava Isaacs, Austin Lunde, Jared Emberton.
by Steve Dunford
THOMPSONVILLE, IL – To top off the day of the first Sunday of their renovated sanctuary, the youth group of Thompsonville First Baptist Church shared their experiences of going on their annual World Changers trip. They went to Huntington, WV this year.
Mitchell Kerley, working on the wheelchair ramp at the job site he was assigned to. He is a recent FCHS graduate. (Marshall University Parthenon photo)
Huntington is the home to Marshall University. The town is known for having high drug use. The city leads the nation in drug overdoses per capita.
The week got off to a sad note, as Youth Director Renee Anderson lost her mother-in-law. Other than one kid getting sick, the rest of the week was event free.
Most of the group was assigned to build wheelchair ramps for the elderly of the city. The crews were able to interact with the homeowners and share the Gospel with them.
One thing that was impressive was they had some free time on Wednesday. The group chose to help out in a block party sponsored by the city of Hunnington. One man was led to the Lord at the block party by some TFBC youth.
Emma Dixon sharing a passage of scripture and Bailey Clem will lead in prayer at The Gathering, which is a worship service at the end of each day at World Changers
I had each student listed. I am afraid I would miss some details. Of the group there were three high schools represented. There were athletes, cheerleaders, one young man for his stance at his graduation, was on Fox News.
The adult leaders stressed the boldness of the youth in sharing the Gospel.
Every kid that spoke had a zeal and love for the Lord. The group will be going to Puerto Rico.
This group needs to be commended for taking the Great Commission to another part of the nation.
