Pick-Six ticket packages available for Saluki Basketball

November 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Looking for that special gift for your fellow Saluki fan? How about a Pick-Six package of men’s basketball tickets at a special price?

Fans can pick any six Southern Illinois men’s basketball home games for $54 for bleacher seats and $60 for corner chairback seats. That’s a significant savings off the regular single-game price.

The 3-0 Salukis have home dates remaining with Fresno State, New Orleans, BracketBusters, plus all nine Missouri Valley Conference opponents.

Tickets can be purchased on-line, at the SIU Arena Ticket Office and by calling 877-SALUKIS.

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Zeigler officials await property answer on old football field

November 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By BRUCE A. FASOL

One of the most meaningful projects in Zeigler’s early TIF District history could see construction in the near future. That optimism that a rumored Dollar General Store will be built in the community comes as a counter offer for land is being considered.

The 1.7 acres being considered is at the northern edge of the city. It is part of an area that is best remembered as the Zeigler-Royalton High School football field.  When the Tornadoes and the nearby Christopher Bearcats began co-oping their team, the games were moved to Spann Field in Christopher. Since that time, the former football field has been used as a walking path by some in the community.

Zeigler Mayor Dennis Mitchell confirmed that an offer by an unnamed developer was not quite enough money for the land. However, a recent counter offer was made which we are told is closer to the appraised value of the lot. Zeigler officials await a reply from the developer seeking the property.

Zeigler Council members have speculated on the use of the land by the developer. They have specifically mentioned Dollar General Store as a possible business seeking to build. That would fit a profile being watched in other communities as well. West Frankfort is believed to be in negotiations for a second Dollar General Store in that community. No timetable for reply to the counter offer was mentioned at the previous Zeigler City Council meeting.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, More Featured Articles, Zeigler News Tagged With: , , , ,

Fantasy of Lights parade Tuesday night in West Frankfort

November 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The 20th Annual Fantasy of Lights parade will be Tuesday, Nov. 20, at 6:30 p.m. in Downtown West Frankfort.

The parade begins at St. John’s Catholic Church and School and heads west down Main Street to the railroad tracks. It features lighted floats, carolers and the big guy, Santa Claus.

After the parade, pictures with Santa will be available in the 100 block of East Main Street.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, Living, More Featured Articles, Special Events, West Frankfort News Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

12 Franklin County students named to SIRR-Ohio All Conference Football Team

November 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Twelve players from Benton and West Frankfort high schools have been named to the 2012 Southern Illinois River to River-Ohio Division All Conference Football Team. Here is the full team line-up:

1st Team Offense

QB                  Mat Buntin                     JR                    Benton

RB                  *Dylan Sheeks              SR                   Benton

RB                   *Dylan Hathaway               SR                   Harrisburg

RB                   *Diamante Bradley            SR                   Murphysboro

RB                  *Hadin Restivo            SR                   West Frankfort

TE                   *Jared Daugherty               SR                   Herrin

WR                 *Austin Butler                     SR                   Herrin

WR                 Daz Nickerson                     SR                   Massac County

C                      *Jordan Quertermous       SR                   Harrisburg

OL                   *Gavin Suver                 SR                   Benton

OL                   Daulton Ward               SR                   Benton

OL                   Issac Ingram                        SR                   Harrisburg

OL                   *Dakota Upchurch             SR                   Harrisburg

At Large Selections

QB                  Ryne Roper                          SR                   Harrisburg

RB                   Capel Henshaw                   SR                   Harrisburg

2nd Team Offense

QB                  Austin Starkweather          SR                   Herrin

RB                   Chase Merrill                       SO                   Herrin

RB                   Jordan Troutman                JR                    Massac County

RB                 Dakota Cali                      SR                   Benton

RB                   Aeian Baird                          JR                    Murphysboro

TE                   Kevin Gude                           SR                   Murphysboro

WR               Austin Myers                   SR                   Benton

WR                 Kane Wilson                         SR                   Murphysboro

C                      Sheldon Klaus                     JR                    Murphysboro

OL                 Ethan Sisk                       JR                    West Frankfort

OL                   Artur Romanishyn             SR                   Herrin

OL                   Corey Vaughn                     JR                    Herrin

OL                   Mark Sawyer                       SR                   Murphysboro

1st Team Defense

DB                  *Austin Butler                     SR                   Herrin

DB                Cameron Rock               SR                   Benton

DB                  Justin Younger                   SR                   Harrisburg

LB                 *Dakota Cali                   SR                   Benton

LB                   *Brandon Pate                    SR                   Harrisburg

LB                   Nathan Vaughn                  SR                   Herrin

LB                 Hadin Restivo                SR                   West Frankfort

DE                *Cole Forby                      SR                   Benton

DE                   Kevin Gude                          SR                   Murphysboro

DE                   Gabe Oglesby                      SR                   Harrisburg

DL                 *Shane Bettenhausen SR                  Benton

DL                   *Dakota Upchurch             SR                   Harrisburg

DL                 *Brady Karnes                SR                   West Frankfort

DL                   Diamante Bradley              SR                   Murphysboro

DL                   Tyler Bebout                        SR                   Harrisburg

K                      *Josh Haynes                      SO                   Herrin

P                      Kane Wilson                        SR                   Murphysboro

At Large Selection

DB                  Tylon Kerrans                       SR                   Murphysboro

* Denotes unanimous selection

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, High School Sports, More Featured Articles, West Frankfort High School Sports Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Benton Police arrest five over weekend

November 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

On Saturday, Benton police arrested four people after investigating a report of a domestic disturbance in the 800 block of North Commercial Street. David Huff, 41, of Benton was charged with obstructing a peace officer. Laura Huff, 28, of Benton was charged with obstructing justice. Tiffany Vocke, 25, of Chicago was charged with obstructing justice. David Pfost, 22, of Chicago was charged with obstructing justice and resisting a peace officer.

Also on Saturday, Joyce E. Gallagher, 32, of Benton was arrested after a traffic stop at the intersection of Buchanan and East Main Street. She was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving on a suspended license, operating an uninsured vehicle, expired registration, and driving without headlights when required.

All five suspects were transported to the Franklin County Jail for processing.

 

Filed Under: Benton News, Franklin Co. News, More Featured Articles Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Old cell phones being collected to benefit soldiers

November 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

State Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion) is asking Franklin County residents to donate old cell phones through the end of this month.

The cell phones will go to Cell Phones for Soldiers, which sells them to a recycling company and uses the proceeds to buy phone cards for soldiers.

Drop off phones by Nov. 30 at the following West Frankfort Public Library, 402 E. Poplar St., or the Benton Public Library, 502 S. Main St.

Filed Under: Benton News, Christopher News, Coello News, Franklin Co. News, Living, More Featured Articles, Royalton News, Sesser News, Thompsonville News, Valier News, West Frankfort News, Zeigler News Tagged With: , ,

Today is reservation deadline for annual Farm Bureau meeting

November 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Monday, Nov. 19 is the last day to make reservations for the Franklin County Farm Bureau’s annual meeting, to be held Monday, Nov. 26 at the Benton Civic Center.

The meeting will include a meal prepared by Martin’s Catering, a silent auction and entertainment by Nine Mile Creek. Registration begins at 5 p.m., with dinner being served at 6:15 p.m.

To make reservations, call the Farm Bureau office at (618) 435-3616.

 

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Tom’s Turkey Tournament Trivia

November 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Tom Wheeler

The 38th Christopher Thanksgiving Tournament starts Monday and it sure brings back memories for this ol’ Coach. So I thought, since I’ve seen every tournament. Here is some trivia that you may or may not remember.

I’ll just ramble so try to stay with me.

Three teams have been in the tourney all 38 years: Christopher, Zeigler-Royalton and Webber Township … Galatia coached by Benton’s Don Smith won the inaugural tournament and two years later his brother Ron Smith won the tournament with Coulterville … Christopher defeated Coulterville in 84,85,and 86 in the Championship game, in 86 current Sparta athletic director Richie Williams was the Eagles coach, his starting point guard was Gary Gischer who later coached at Christopher, Williams also coached in the tournament at Elverado where  he got so excited one night he ripped the seat out of his pants … the St. Louis Cardinals Corey Bailey played in the tournament with Crab Orchard before moving to Marion for his senior year … Rodney Seips of Egyptian also played minor league baseball … the biggest star to ever attend the tournament was tennis great Jennifer Capriati, who came to see Shane Boner play (she dated Shane’s brother in California) … Logan athletic director and baseball coach Jerry Halstead played in the first tournament with Carterville when he started as a freshman … Z-R’s Matt Swalls was MVP in 1981 and teammate Sean Connor in 1983, Matts group won the tournament but Sean was the first player to win from a team that wasn’t champions (they finished fourth) … their best tourney team may have been in 1982 but the Tornadoes were busy winning the IHSA Class A state championship in football in Bloomington as  all five basketball starters played football … Bruce Weber, coach at Kansas State, came to the tourney to scout Egyptian’s Dana Ford when he was at SIU … Current CCHS freshman coach Rick Cook was 12-0 as varsity coach in his four tournaments … my wife Lynda sure loves Turkey week as there are NO suppers prepared that week, I’m usually found in the great hospitality room along with many ‘regulars’ … CCHS revealed a beautiful new portable floor for the 77-78 season but this year’s floor won’t take a back door to that one …

Looking back I can’t believe how many of my ex-teammates coached in the tournament like John Kretz, Rick Cook,(fast pitch) Ed Belva,Steve Strickland, Wendell Wheeler, Russ Hobbs, Mike Henson, Wes Choate, Nick Laur(slow pitch) Cliff Davis, Ken Dillingham,  (McKendree basketball) Roger Yates (Coal Belt baseball) and Don Gines (McLeansboro Jr. High basketball) … Mt. Vernon legend Doug Creel coached in the tournament at Thompsonville and his best player was current West Frankfort Lady Red Birds coach Matt Hampelman … ZR’S superintendent George Wilkerson played in the tournament as did CCHS’s super Rich Towers (MVP in 86) … Varsity coaches who played in the tournament include CCHS coaches Eric Stallman, Jeff Minor, Jeff Gossett, and Gary Gischer, ZR’S Quinn Laird, Matt Morgan, Jamie Moyers and Brent Kreid, Thompsonville’s Brandon Chapman and Brock Harris … now it’s time for more trivia from the 2012 tournament and with six members of the all-tournament team returning, including 2011 MVP Devantae Price of defending champion Egyptian, it should bring more great basketball to kick off the 2012-23 season.

Filed Under: Benton News, Christopher High School Sports, Christopher News, Coello News, Franklin Co. News, High School Sports, More Featured Articles, Royalton News, Sesser News, Thompsonville News, Uncategorized, Valier News, West Frankfort News, Zeigler News

No Christmas decoration work detail needed this weekend in W.F.

November 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The West Frankfort Chamber of Commerce’s elves will not be needed this year, the Chamber has announced.

The annual Saturday morning work detail to hang Christmas decorations in the city’s downtown area has been cancelled because West Frankfort Street Department crews have been doing the work this week.

Volunteer workers had been scheduled to report at 5 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, but do not need to do so.

City crews will be able to complete the work before Tuesday’s 19th annual Fantasy of Lights parade, West Frankfort Mayor Tom Jordan said.

— Bruce A. Fasol

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, More Featured Articles, West Frankfort News Tagged With: , , , ,

Community worship service planned Saturday in Whittington

November 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

They are calling it “Undivided,” and it is open to everyone. It is a night of community worship and ministry in Southern Illinois.

Jon Walker is the organizer and had the vision for this event from the beginning. The hope is that Undivided will bring people from different churches and with different backgrounds together for a great night of worship.

“I hope that fostering unity will eventually bring about ministry and reaching this community as one body of Christ. So we are collecting food for a local food pantry and we will be doing similar charity work with every event we put on,” Walker said.

An added feature of the event is that they are collecting food for the Benton Ministerial Alliance at the event. Bringing the community together and serving others by collecting food – some would say that Whittington Church does that very well.

The event starts with refreshments at 6 p.m., followed by the service at 7 p.m. Whittington Baptist Church is located at 200 W. Main St. in Whittington, IL.

— Tammy Head

Filed Under: Benton News, Franklin Co. News, Living, More Featured Articles, Special Events Tagged With: , ,
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