Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn intends to take action today on legislation that would allow guns to be carried in public, and he’s widely expected to insert changes to the bill to try to put in place stricter regulations.
Here’s the link to the story in the Chicago Tribune.
Illinois finished the fiscal year on Sunday $6.1 billion in the red. But Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka said Monday that the backlog of unpaid bills to schools, agencies, hospitals and businesses is expected to grow another $1.4 billion by next month.
By Jim Muir
This Sunday, June 30 will be a day of patriotism and recognition as Whittington Church hosts its annual Freedom Day Celebration.
This will mark the 17th year that Whittington Church has honored all military veterans (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard) along with law enforcement and fire fighters. All those in attendance will be recognized during the 10:30 a.m. service for their contribution and sacrifice.
Pastor Mark Minor said this year’s Freedom Celebration will include a special recognition of World War II veterans.
“World War II was the most critical and pivotal conflict of the 20th Century,” Minor said. “Every day, according to statistics from Department of Veterans Affairs, we lose 670 WW II veterans, with estimates of less than 10,000 veterans still alive. For those WW II veterans in attendance, there will be individual recognition and awards.”
Minor emphasized that the annual event is open to all military veterans or active/reserved duty, not just those who attend Whittington Church on a regular basis.
The longtime pastor said Freedom Day Celebration is something he and the entire congregation look forward to and embrace each year.
“For me, this is the most moving and meaningful service we do each year,” Minor said. “To see these men and women honored, to consider their service to our country, to recognize their sacrifice … they are God’s gift to America and the front line of Freedom.”
Minor said the yearly day of recognition for veterans and first responders is “well-deserved.”
“The Bible encourages us to ‘give honor to whom honor is due,” Minor said. “If we do not honor those who put their lives on the line for Freedom, we don’t truly understand how precious and rare our Freedom is.”
Minor said the Freedom Day Celebration has provided many unforgettable moments and noted that the concept behind the event is simply to say ‘thanks.’
“One of the most memorable services was a few years ago when a Vietnam vet, who had been invited by a friend, was visibly moved by the standing ovation he received for his military service,” Minor said. “‘This is the first time’, he said, ‘that anyone has ever applauded or said ‘thank you’ to me for serving.’” To say ‘thank you’ is what this service is all about.”
The Freedom Day Celebration begins at 10:30 a.m. and anybody needing more information can contact Whittington Church at 618-629-2423 or go to the church’s website at www.whittington.org.
By Jim Muir
Two Franklin County residents were killed in a two-vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Route 154 and Larry Foster Parkway, located only as short distance west of the Whittington/Sesser exit on Interstate 57.
Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler said that David B. Couture, 23 of Valier and 19-year-old Christina Marie Bradley, of Christopher, died in the accident that took place shortly before 5 p.m.
Authorities say that Couture was northbound on Larry Foster Parkway and pulled into the path of a semi-truck being driven by Kevin Simpson, of West Frankfort, who was eastbound on Route 154. Simpson’s truck T-boned the Couture van killing the young couple on impact according to Leffler. The force of the collision pushed the van east of the intersection and off the north side of Route 154.
State police handled the accident and the investigation.
By Jim Muir
Two people are confirmed dead in a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Route 154 and Larry Foster Parkway, located only as short distance west of the Whittington/Sesser exit on Interstate 57.
Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler, who was en route to the scene of the fatal crash when contacted, said preliminary reports indicate that a semi-trailer truck was traveling east on Route 154 and collided broadside with a mini-van that was traveling north on Larry Foster Parkway.
Leffler said it is unclear at this time if the mini-van failed to stop at the intersection or pulled in front of the semi-truck. Leffler said the semi-truck “T-boned” the mini-van resulting in the death of two people in the van.
Leffler said it would be several hours until the named of the victims are released. He said the victims have not been removed from the scene and that first responders are working to try and get the two vehicles separated.
The accident took place shortly after 5 p.m. This story will be updated later this evening.
By Jim Muir
This Sunday, June 30 will be a day of patriotism and recognition as Whittington Church hosts its annual Freedom Day Celebration.
This will mark the 17th year that Whittington Church has honored all military veterans (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard) along with law enforcement and fire fighters. All those in attendance will be recognized during the 10:30 a.m. service for their contribution and sacrifice.
Pastor Mark Minor said this year’s Freedom Celebration will include a special recognition of World War II veterans.
“World War II was the most critical and pivotal conflict of the 20th Century,” Minor said. “Every day, according to statistics from Department of Veterans Affairs, we lose 670 WW II veterans, with estimates of less than 10,000 veterans still alive. For those WW II veterans in attendance, there will be individual recognition and awards.”
Minor emphasized that the annual event is open to all military veterans or active/reserved duty, not just those who attend Whittington Church on a regular basis.
The longtime pastor said Freedom Day Celebration is something he and the entire congregation look forward to and embrace each year.
“For me, this is the most moving and meaningful service we do each year,” Minor said. “To see these men and women honored, to consider their service to our country, to recognize their sacrifice … they are God’s gift to America and the front line of Freedom.”
Minor said the yearly day of recognition for veterans and first responders is “well-deserved.”
“The Bible encourages us to ‘give honor to whom honor is due,” Minor said. “If we do not honor those who put their lives on the line for Freedom, we don’t truly understand how precious and rare our Freedom is.”
Minor said the Freedom Day Celebration has provided many unforgettable moments and noted that the concept behind the event is simply to say ‘thanks.’
“One of the most memorable services was a few years ago when a Vietnam vet, who had been invited by a friend, was visibly moved by the standing ovation he received for his military service,” Minor said. “‘This is the first time’, he said, ‘that anyone has ever applauded or said ‘thank you’ to me for serving.’” To say ‘thank you’ is what this service is all about.”
The Freedom Day Celebration begins at 10:30 a.m. and anybody needing more information can contact Whittington Church at 618-629-2423 or go to the church’s website at www.whittington.org.
CHICAGO — Like your cousin who doesn’t pay his bills on time and squanders money he doesn’t have, Illinois is paying the price — in both cash and reputation — for years of ignored warnings about its pension crisis, the worst in the nation.
It’s been nearly four years since Gov. Pat Quinn approved a series of tax hikes to pay for a $31 billion statewide construction program, but the condition of the state’s roadways has actually worsened.
Here’s the link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan, written by Kurt Erickson.
INA – Responding to recent legislation, officials from Rend Lake College (RLC) and Southeastern Illinois College (SIC) announced that the two colleges have signed a cooperative agreement to provide an array of training opportunities for the emerging oil and natural gas industry. Combined, the two districts have more acreage under lease to the industry than anywhere else in the state.
“This is another example of a community college alliance that reaches across district boundaries and works to provide industry and residents of our region the training they need,” said RLC President Terry Wilkerson.
Officials said that as the industry takes root, workforce needs will have to be met. Workers will need custom training, as well as other possible credentials, such as certificate and degree programs.
Rend Lake College President Terry Wilkerson (LEFT) and Southeastern Illinois College President Jonah Rice recently met on RLC’s campus to talk about the new training partnership in oil and natural gas. (Photo by Nathan Wheeler / RLC Public Information)
“Since the state has passed legislation to regulate this energy sector, colleges like SIC and RLC will be asked to train our local workforce for a variety of jobs as this industry emerges in the region,” said Dr. Jonah Rice, SIC president.
Both colleges will provide SAFELAND training, a custom safety program, as well as other special training needed by the industry. SIC has submitted a custom training certificate program to the state for approval. RLC plans on creating an associate degree program in oil and natural gas.
Related educational needs for associated jobs in the industry include truck driving, welding and diesel mechanics, among other programs each college offers individually.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts shale gas will account for nearly half of the natural gas produced in the U.S. by 2035.
“Natural gas exports are a huge opportunity for our local economy,” said Wilkerson. “Our job as a training provider is to meet that opportunity with programming that will provide a skilled workforce and put people to work.”
Illinois legislation regarding the industry includes some of the toughest safety regulations in the nation, officials said.
“By partnering, we can provide the training and continuing education needed to make this a safe and reliable economic boost to the region,” Wilkerson added.
Both SIC and RLC boast above-average completion records in the region and have industry respect in vocational and workforce education.
“The two colleges realized working together in a cooperative was better than working apart,” said Rice. “We’re both stronger because of the agreement.”
Illinois House and Senate leaders have agreed to form yet another committee to try and draft a pension reform measure that can pass the General Assembly.
Here’s the link to the story at the Springfield State Journal-Register.
