SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY

…Minor accumulations of snow possible later tonight into
Saturday morning…

Rain should transition to light snow tonight across southeast
Missouri, southern Illinois, southwest Indiana and west Kentucky.
The snow may linger Saturday morning across western Kentucky.
Snowfall amounts should generally be 1 inch or less. Minor travel
impacts cannot be ruled out.

The Winter Storm Watch was cancelled early this morning. The
forecast data has had tremendous difficulty handling snowfall
amounts with this system. All of the latest data points to lower
accumulations.

With the U.S. Supreme Court now having heard two cases concerning how political maps are drawn, advocates for bringing change to Illinois say there seems to be a light at the end of the gerrymandering tunnel.

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

Significant snow accumulations possible Friday night… .A storm system will approach the mid Mississippi and Ohio Valley regions late Friday. Rain is expected to change over to wet snow Friday evening and become heavy at times overnight. Several inches of accumulation are possible generally north of a Perryville Missouri, to Calhoun Kentucky line. This includes the cities of Carbondale, West Frankfort, Harrisburg, Mount Carmel, Evansville, Henderson and Owensboro. …WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING…

* WHAT…Moderate to heavy wet snow possible. Total snow accumulations up to 4 inches are possible. Cannot rule out isolated higher amounts.

* WHERE…Portions of southwest Indiana, southeast Missouri, western Kentucky and southern Illinois.

* WHEN…From Friday evening through Saturday morning.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Plan on difficult travel conditions. Significant reductions in visibility are possible.

* AFFECTED AREAS: EDWARDS … FRANKLIN … GALLATIN … HAMILTON … HARDIN … JACKSON … JEFFERSON … JOHNSON … PERRY … POPE … SALINE … UNION … WABASH … WAYNE … WHITE … WILLIAMSON

Instructions:

A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY OFFICIALS EXECUTE DISASTER DECLARATION

(MARION-ILLINOIS) — On Wednesday morning, Williamson County Board Chairman Jim Marlow signed a disaster declaration upon the recommendation of Williamson County Emergency Management Agency Director Kelly Urhahn. The Williamson County EMA has confirmed that a tornado developed in the County on 4/3/2018 and caused significate damage to local homes and businesses. No injuries or fatalities have been reported. The execution of the disaster declaration officially recognizes the event as a disaster and activates Williamson County’s Emergency Operations Plan.

The following disaster response efforts are ongoing at this time:

– Teams from Williamson County EMA, assisted by personnel from Franklin County Emergency Management Agency are conducting a detailed field damage assessment of all residential and business structures that were affected.

– Teams from the National Weather Service are conducting a detailed assessment to determine the path and strength of the tornado.

– Officials from the American Red Cross will be deployed to reach out to citizens affected to aid in recovery efforts. Home Depot out of Marion has graciously donated supplies to assist local residents.

Williamson County officials are asking citizens to report significant structural damage or any assistance needs the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at (618) 997-6541.

A government finance watchdog has raised questions about who profits from a state policy in Illinois that penalizes state agencies that don’t pay bills on time.

Here’s the link at Illinois News Network.

Heavy rains, winds and the threat of tornadoes hit parts of Southern Illinois on Tuesday, causing some substantial damage.

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

 

Elementary and middle schools across Illinois can apply before April 13

CHICAGO —  The Governor’s Office of the Illinois Bicentennial is awarding 25 schools across the state a 3-year technology program as a signature legacy project of the Bicentennial Celebration.  The highly renowned IMSA Fusion program presents a unique curriculum for middle school teachers to inspire 4^th through 8^th graders to study math and science and pursue careers in technology, medicine, education and business. The effort is a partnership with the Illinois Math and Science Academy.

The application deadline for schools is April 13.  Applications can be submitted through http://bit.ly/FusionBicentennial.

Wintrust and Abbott are the presenting sponsors.  All Bicentennial Office programs are privately financed.  Additional funding for this campaign is provided by Boeing, Ingredion and Motorola.

IMSA Fusion is a teacher professional development and student STEM enrichment program.  IMSA Fusion places a special emphasis on students who are historically underrepresented in those areas. 

A five person school selection committee will review the applications.  The committee includes:  Emily Bastedo, Senior Advisor to the Governor; Dr. Kevin Pitts, Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education- University of Illinois; Ross Hemphill, Board Member- IMSA Fund for Advancement of Education; Jenna Daugherty, Divisional Vice President of Global Social Responsibility- Abbott; and Susana Meza, Vice President, Marketing- Wintrust Financial.

The schools will be chosen based on serving predominately underrepresented populations, commitments to embedding IMSA Fusion into the regular school day as an elective/encore/CTE course and requiring teachers to undertake 5 full days of professional development, and a sustainability plan to continue the IMSA Fusion after the 3-year award expires.

ABOUT ILLINOIS BICENTENNIAL

On Dec. 3, 1818, Illinois became the 21st state in the union. The Illinois Bicentennial is a yearlong celebration of what has been BORN, BUILT & GROWN in the state and a reminder of why we are #IllinoisProud.  Citizens are encouraged to participate in the celebration by visiting www.illinois200.com.

Illinois will spend $194 million over the next five years on projects intended to make railroad crossings in the state safer.

 

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

A judgment against Illinois for not paying union members’ automatic raises is going to put lawmakers and Gov. Bruce Rauner under even greater pressure to work out a balanced budget.

Here’s the link at Illinois News Network.

On March 29, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the 300 block of North Ninth Street in reference to a domestic disturbance.  Upon investigating, police arrested Patrick McClerren, age 42, of Benton for domestic battery and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.  McClerren was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On March 30, 2018 Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Diamond and Ninth Street.  Upon investigating, police arrested Dustin Forby. Age 42, of Benton for driving while license suspended.  Forby was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On March 30, 2018 Benton Police arrested Alyssa Blades, age 27, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear.  Blades was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On March 30, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to 1600 block of North Main Street in reference to a disturbance.  Upon investigating, police arrested Denise Wagoner, age 32, of West Frankfort for aggravated battery.  Wagoner was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On March 31, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the 100 block of Virginia Street in reference to a trespass complaint.  Upon investigating, police arrested Jennifer Shelton, age 28, of West City for criminal trespass to real property.  Shelton was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On April 1, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to 710 East Main Street, known as Casey’s General Store, in reference to a retail theft.  Upon investigating, police arrested Christopher Braden, age 35, of Thompsonville for retail theft.  Braden was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.