Congressman Mike Bost on train carrying legislators to retreat…he and is wife are unharmed

January 31, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Statement from Congressman Mike Bost 

ABC News image

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) today issued the following statement after a train carrying Members of Congress collided with a garbage truck in West Virginia:

“Tracy and I were on a train with other members of Congress heading to the Republican strategy retreat in West Virginia. Late this morning, the train was involved in a collision with a garbage truck. Tracy and I are safe and unharmed. Of the truck’s three crewmembers, one was killed and another is being treated for serious injuries. Please keep them and their families in your prayers.”

 

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Featured, Franklin Co. News, State News

Investigation into West City deaths complete

January 31, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Press Release from Marty Leffler, Franklin County Coroner

 

 

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Featured, Franklin Co. News, West City News

Coach Kill returns to SIU as an ambassador and athletic fundraiser

January 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment

SIU Media Services 

CARBONDALE — Legendary college football coach Jerry Kill, who led the Salukis to five consecutive NCAA playoff appearances, will return to Southern Illinois University Carbondale as an ambassador for the university. He will also assist with fundraising for the athletics program.

Chancellor Carlo Montemagno said that Kill’s appointment as special assistant to the chancellor will begin in mid-March.

Kill returns to SIU – Chancellor Carlo Montemagno listens as former Saluki football coach Jerry Kill discusses his return to Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Kill will work as a special assistant to the chancellor’s office on behalf of the university and assist the athletics program in fundraising efforts (Photo by Steve Buhman)

“Jerry comes home to SIU with a commitment to moving us forward,” Montemagno said. “He remains highly regarded among SIU fans, alumni and the community for playing perhaps the most significant role in the transformation of the university’s football program.”

Kill was head football coach at SIU from 2001 to 2007, leading the Salukis to five straight appearances in the Football Championship Subdivision and winning three straight Gateway Football Conference Championships. While at SIU, he also received the prestigious Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year Award in 2004 and the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award in 2007.

He left SIU to serve as head coach at Northern Illinois University from 2008 to 2010, delivering three bowl eligible teams.

Kill has dealt with epilepsy for much of his coaching career, serving as an advocate for others with epilepsy and earning wide-spread respect and national attention. He chronicles his experiences as a coach in a 2016 book, “Chasing Dreams: Living My Life One Yard at a Time.”

“SIU is a special place, and I’ve always valued the warmth and support of the Southern Illinois community,” said Kill, who has returned to campus many times in recent years. “I’m excited to contribute to the university’s future in any way possible. This is a wonderful opportunity to help tell SIU’s great story.”

SIU athletic director Tommy Bell said he looks forward to Kill’s return.

“Coach Kill has a national profile and tremendous passion for this institution,” Bell said. “He will be a valuable asset as we move forward on our plan to restore the glory of Saluki Athletics.”

Filed Under: College Sports, Featured, Sports

Major winter storm predicted will be all rain

January 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Wednesday’s weather map

 

This is from Luke Saeger, of The Storm Predictor.  “For the last few model runs, the “big snowstorm” is no more. New model data shows,system moving farther south and does not look to impact southern Illinois. If anything changes I will let you know.”

The high will be well above freezing at 42 degrees on Thursday.  There is a chance of precipitation on Saturday night, and a chance of snow showers Sunday.  -sd

Seven Day Forecast

Tonight
Clear, with a low around 19. North northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 38. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 30. South wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of rain after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west northwest after midnight.
Thursday
A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. North northwest wind 5 to 11 mph.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 16. North northwest wind 6 to 9 mph.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 31. North wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. South wind 3 to 7 mph.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. South southwest wind 7 to 11 mph.
Saturday Night
A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. South southwest wind 6 to 9 mph becoming north northwest after midnight.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. North wind around 9 mph.
Sunday Night
A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. North wind 6 to 8 mph.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 30. West northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Filed Under: Breaking News, Featured, Franklin Co. News

West Frankfort Hires Second Ever Female Police Officer

January 28, 2018 By Leave a Comment

New West Frankfort Police Officer Amanda Marlow poses for a picture with West Frankfort Police Chief Mike Irwin at the January 8, City Council meeting at which Marlow was hired on as member of the WFPD. (William McPherson, WF Gazette photo)

WEST FRANKFORT – The West Frankfort City Council voted to hire a new officer at the January 9, 2018 meeting.

West Frankfort resident Amanda Marlow has worked with the City of West Frankfort as a telecommunicator for most of the last year, helping guide officers and firefighters to various emergency situations. Now she’s going to be making the transition from taking the calls in the office, to responding to them out in the field.

Please click on the link below to read the full story from William McPherson of the West Frankfort Gazette.

http://www.wfgazette.com/news/west-frankfort-hires-second-ever-female-police-officer/article_62e9f616-02a6-11e8-bdca-3367422cd0eb.html

Filed Under: Breaking News, Featured, Franklin Co. News, West Frankfort News

Franklin County Sheriff’s report

January 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment

BENTON – Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones has reported the following arrests/incidents:

1-19-18 at 2:00 pm Deputies responded to a road rage incident that occurred on Il. Rt. 34 west of Thompsonville. The investigation led to the eventual arrest of Rodrick S. Grief age 37 of Eldorado for criminal damage to property under $500.00

1-20-18 at 5:40 pm Deputies responded to a reported domestic dispute in rural West Frankfort. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Emma A. Couture age 20 of West Frankfort for domestic battery.

1-20-18 at 6:43 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Ewing Road ½ mile west of Log Cabin Road. A 2005 Chrysler Town and Country driven by Ariel R. Moore age 27 of Sesser, rear ended a 2013 John Deer 32D Skid steer implement of husbandry. The Skid steer was east bound and lacked the proper lighting equipment and slow moving vehicle emblems required by law. The Skid steer was being driven by Linford W. Weaver age 33 of Benton. The driver of the Town and Country received major injuries and was air evacuated to a St. Louis area hospital. Four children were passengers in the Town and Country and two received major injuries. A four year old boy and a one year old boy were also air evacuated out to St. Louis area hospitals. An eleven year old boy and an eight year old boy received minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital by Abbott EMS. Linford W. Weaver received minor injuries but refused transport to a hospital. Linford was ticketed for a slow moving vehicle violation as well as not having the proper amber lighting on a slow moving vehicle.

1-22-18 at 6:50 pm Deputies responded to a reported domestic dispute in rural West Frankfort. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Sarah C. Couture age 18 of West Frankfort of criminal damage to property.

1-24-18 Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural Mulkeytown. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Drake S. McKinney age 30 of Mulkeytown for domestic battery and felony criminal damage to property.

WARRANT ARRESTS

1-19-18 Spring P. Leonard age 19 of West Frankfort. Unlawful delivery of methamphetamine

1-19-18 Kelsey L. Cook age 26 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear for aggravated battery

1-19-18 Kevin W. Biggs age 32 of Fairfield. Contempt of court

1-22-18 Jerry R. Dawson age 28 of Royalton. Violation of the sex offender registration statute

1-23-18 David B. Ray age 39 of Benton. Failure to appear for felony driving under the influence

1-23-18 Melissa M. Hayes age 34 of Benton. Failure to appear for unlawful delivery of a controlled substance

Filed Under: Breaking News, Featured, Franklin Co. News

RLC Child Care continues to meet high standards

January 26, 2018 By Leave a Comment

INA, Ill. — Children enrolled at the Rend Lake College Foundation Children’s Center (RLCFCC) will continue to learn and play for the next five years on the Ina campus, thanks to consistently high standards met by their teachers and staff.

Last week, the RLCFCC received official word from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) of their successful completion of the accreditation process for early learning programs. The accreditation is valid through October 1, 2022.

RLCFCC Director Brooke May said the center has maintained NAEYC accreditation since 2003 by upholding high standards and criteria, which specifically includes extra effort to sustain classroom and program portfolios.

“NAEYC accreditation is the means to promoting high-quality early learning for all young children. We work non-stop every day to ensure that we adhere to their standards,” said May. “Our staff works hard at connecting best early childhood practice, policy, and developmentally-appropriate programming in our center. We are extremely happy with the results of our site visit findings and being awarded another five years of NAEYC accreditation.”

OliviaGonzalezPlayWOne-year-old Olivia Gonzalez of Valier plays on a slide in the recently-opened Skill Development Room at the RLC Foundation Children’s Center. Gonzalez is one of many children who benefit from the RLCFCC’s NAEYC accreditation. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

To achieve accreditation, the RLCFCC had to meet a number of program and classroom criteria, which include areas such as relationships, teaching, assessment of child progress, teachers, families, community relations, and many others.

In three areas – assessment of child progress, families, and community relations – the RLCFCC scored 100 percent plus, proving they go above and beyond expectations. May said those areas are extremely important and continue to be the focus for the teachers and staff.

“We serve the children and families in our program by being dedicated to upholding high quality standards, as well as striving to be an exemplary model of what quality early childhood education looks like,” said May. “Plus, we feel that involving the community and families in our center is an integral part to creating a true partnership and being successful in being seen as a member of our local society.”

NAEYC also commended the RLCFCC for their exemplary teaching staff. May said the teachers and staff work tirelessly to stay current on educational trends and practices to provide the best of the best for the children enrolled.

“Our teachers constantly strive to learn and follow best practices in Early Childhood Education, as well as seek out additional resources to enhance our educational program,” said May. “Our teachers work as a team to make sure our center provides the highest quality child care for the families in our community.”

The RLCFCC will soon be enrolling students for the Spring 2018 semester. Enrollment for all classrooms opens Wednesday, Nov. 1. To learn more about the RLCFCC, contact Director Brooke May at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1393 or mayb@rlc.edu .

Filed Under: Featured

Rend Lake College Fall 2017 Honors Lists

January 26, 2018 By Leave a Comment

From ReAnne Palmer, RLC Public Information 

INA – Rend Lake College is pleased to announce 370 students have made the President’s and Vice Presidents’ lists of academic honors for the Fall 2017 semester.

The lists include 142 individuals named to the President’s List. Those students earned a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) during the semester as a full-time student earning 12 credit hours or more. Another 228 students were named to the Vice Presidents’ List. Students on the Vice Presidents’ List earned a 3.50 – 3.99 GPA during the semester as a full-time student.

“On behalf of all the faculty and staff at Rend Lake College, I’d like to congratulate these high-achieving students for their continued success and commitment to academics,” said RLC President Terry Wilkerson. “They should be very proud of their achievements, and we wish them the best this spring semester and in their future.”

Below is a link to the full list.  Following there will be a published list to all Franklin County students who achieved academic excellence.

https://www.rlc.edu/pressroom/13676-rend-lake-college-fall-2017-honors-lists

President’s List From Franklin County

BENTON – Theresa Bates, Kevin Gibbs, Hillary Ionson, Elijah Lampley, Brette Mahan, Avery Miller, Morgan Montgomery, Parker Robbins, Kurtis Sanders, Noah Thomason, Shelby Wilhelm, Drew Williams

CHRISTOPHER – Phillip Smith, Joshua Underwood

EWING – Cole Hutchens, Allison Stubblefield

MULKEYTOWN – Afton Kirk, Ariel Mays, Madilyn Severs, Sarah Thompson

SESSER – Emily Bulla, Hannah Garascia, Ashton Lappin, Savanah Queen, Robert Reider

THOMPSONVILLE – Jacob Dixon, Maddie Miller, Aiden Payne, Ivan Wysong

VALIER – Alexandra Boner

WEST FRANKFORT – Mary Linsley, Christian Reed

Vice President’s List from Franklin County

BENTON – Ashley Atkins, Emberly Code, Rachel Dahl, Brittany Ferris, Jessica Fowler, Alex Galioto, Spencer Galloway, John Giacone, Nicholas Goffinet, Jeffrey Hayes, Haley Ing, Amy Kovarik, Ashtyn Kubow, Andrew Lingle, Tedgie Morgan, Micah Neal, Taigan Neibch, Bradley Phillips, Gavin Richardson, Matthew Robertson, Brandon Smith, Holden Storey, Sierra Tiberend, Sydnie Watkins, Caleb Wilkerson

CHRISTOPHER – Tori Schafer

MULKEYTOWN – Huel Reynolds, Zachary Webb

SESSER – Kennedy Cloe, Mariah Eader, Scott Nelson, Mallory Newbury, Amanda Queen, Chase Ragland, Justin Roberts, Madyson Senior, Gerrod Tolley

THOMPSONVILLE – Coleman Evrard, Allysa Fox, Blake Miller, George Styles, Cory Wilce

VALIER – Dakota Bowen, Afton Frank

WHITTINGTON – Noah Jones

ZEIGLER – Megan McInnes

 

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Featured, Franklin Co. News

All South Football team released

January 25, 2018 By Leave a Comment

The All South Football team was released this afternoon.  There are seven from Franklin County that are listed.   They are the following:

BENTON 

Hamilton Page – QB

Blaine Pankey RB/LB

Cade Thomas – WR/DB

WEST FRANKFORT 

Madison Allen – RB/LB

Greg Cooper – OL/LB

S-V-W-W

Lukas Gunter – WR

Bryce Jones

HERE IS THE FULL LIST BELOW 

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, Featured, High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports

Become an official — stay connected to high school sports

January 25, 2018 By Leave a Comment

By Bob Gardner, Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations and Craig Anderson, Executive Director of the Illinois High School Association.

These individuals are so important that, in fact, there would be no organized competitive sports at the high school level without the men and women who officiate these contests every day across the country. Subtract the dedicated men and women who officiate high school sports and competitive sports would no longer be organized; they would be chaotic.

In some areas, high school officials are retiring faster than new licenses are being issued. And junior varsity, freshmen and middle school games are being postponed – or even cancelled – because there are not enough men and women to officiate them.

Anyone looking for a unique way to contribute to the local community should consider becoming a licensed high school official. For individuals who played sports in high school, officiating is a great way to stay close to the sport after their playing days have ended. Officiating helps people stay in shape, expands their social and professional network and offers part-time work that is flexible, yet pays. In fact, officiating is a form of community service, but with compensation.

Another benefit of officiating is that individuals become role models so that teenagers in the community can learn the life lessons that high school sports teach. Students learn to respect their opponents and the rules of the game and the importance of practicing good sportsmanship thanks, in part, to those men and women who officiate. And the objectivity and integrity that high school officials display is an example that every young person needs to observe firsthand. In short, communities around the country will be stronger because of the life lessons that high school officials help teach the next generation.

Officiating is a great way to stay connected to sports and to give back to the local high school and community. We need dedicated men and women to become involved so that high school sports can continue to prosper for years to come.

Individuals interested in learning more about becoming a high school official, and even begin the application process, can do so at www.HighSchoolOfficials.com.

Filed Under: Columns, Featured, Opinion
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