INA, Ill.  – Mt. Vernon pharmacist and business owner Eric Black stepped down from the Rend Lake College Board of Trustees tonight during the board’s regular monthly meeting. Black has served on the RLC Board for seven years.

Black was first elected to a four-year term in 2011 and was then re-elected to a six-year term in 2015. During his tenure, he served as the Board Chair for three years, from 2013-2016, and prior to his resignation, he served as the Board Secretary. His vacated seat will be temporarily filled for the remainder of his six-year term.

Black cited his desire to concentrate on his family and business as reasons for his resignation.

“After having served the college for several years now, I can wholeheartedly say it has been a pleasure,” he wrote in his resignation letter. “There has been quite a bit of work, some late nights, and some long phone calls, but I have enjoyed the experience. More importantly, I have had the pleasure of getting to know some very fine individuals, both on the board and faculty and staff. What a great team. Thank you and keep up the great work.”

Eric Black of Mt. Vernon, CENTER, was honored with a plaque for seven years of service to the Rend Lake College Board of Trustees after his resignation Tuesday night. Also pictured is RLC President Terry Wilkerson, LEFT, and Board Chair Randy Rubenacker, RIGHT.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

The President and Director of Pharmacy of The Medicine Shoppe in Mt. Vernon, also known as the Mt. Vernon Community Pharmacy Inc., Black is a second-generation pharmacist and pharmacy owner who was the first home-educated student ever to be accepted by St. Louis College of Pharmacy.

During the meeting, Board of Trustees Chair Randy Rubenacker recognized Black’s dedication to RLC and the community.

“Eric, I’d like to say … I’ve served a lot of people on different boards, and I’d have to say you’re one of the better board members I’ve served with, and probably the most prepared member I’ve ever served with. Your dedication to Rend Lake College has been very visible. Thank you,” said Rubenacker.

RLC President Terry Wilkerson also thanked Black for his service to the college.

“I appreciate the support that Eric has provided me as president, both personally and professionally, over the years. His leadership and insight as a board member has been invaluable to the college,” said Wilkerson.

Hamilton County State’s Attorney Justin Hood was elected chairman of the Board of Governors of the Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor during a quarterly board meeting, according to a news release from the organization.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Brian Pheasant, the man convicted in May of killing his wife, has filed a motion for a new trial, which will be heard Friday.

Here’s a link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan.

After days of frenzied lobbying and speculation, President Donald Trump decided on federal appeals Judge Brett Kavanaugh for his second nominee to the Supreme Court, setting up a ferocious confirmation battle with Democrats as he seeks to shift the nation’s highest court further to the right.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

If a suburban lawmaker has her way, this would be the last year that Illinoisans celebrated America’s independence with little more than snakes and sparklers.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

QUINCY — When Dr. Michael Connolly moved from Wisconsin to Quincy in January 2017 to teach at Southern Illinois University’s Center for Family Medicine, he was shocked at the number of opioid prescriptions and substance use disorders.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

On July 5, 2018 at approximately 4:00 a.m. Benton Police were dispatched to Hoot N Holler tavern located at 107 Lewis Lane in reference to an alarm.

Upon investigating, police deployed K9 “Ranger” inside the business and three suspects were subsequently located hiding inside a storage closet.

Dalton Roberts, age 18, of Benton was arrested and charged with burglary and criminal damage to property.

Roberts was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

Police also charged the other two juvenile suspects with burglary and criminal damage to property.

On July 5, 2018 at approximately 10: 50 a.m. Benton Police were dispatched to the 600 block of Sixth Street in reference to an intoxicated female.

Upon investigating, police  arrested Lisa A. Hobell, age 57, of St. Louis, MO for aggravated assault and resisting a peace officer.

On July 6, 2018 at approximately 2:30 a.m. Benton Police conducted a traffic stop in the 600 block of East Webster Street.

Upon investigating, police arrested Lindsay N.Thomas, age 30 , of Benton for driving while license suspended and unlawful possession of methamphetamine.

Thomas was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On July 6, 2018 at approximately 1:15p.m. Benton Police were dispatched to Fred’s located at 215 Bailey Lane for retail theft.

Upon investigating, police arrested Christopher R. Braden, age 35, of Thompsonville for retail theft.

Braden was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

Now that the November ballot has been all but certified, the gubernatorial candidates from independent political parties want to be included in the TV debates.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner named three new appointees to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board on Thursday, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

Here’s a link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan.