Wind advisory issued until 6:00 p.m.

 

The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Wind Advisory, which is in effect until 6 PM CST this evening for the following counties,  ALEXANDER … FRANKLIN … JACKSON … JEFFERSON … PERRY … UNION.

* TIMING…This afternoon.

* WINDS…South southwest winds will gust 40 to 50 mph.

* IMPACTS…Vehicular traffic, especially for high profile
vehicles, will be affected with rough driving conditions. Mobile
homes and outdoor construction work will be affected. Choppy
waves on area water bodies will make boating hazardous,
especially on Rend Lake.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A wind advisory is issued when sustained winds are expected to
reach 30 mph or greater for longer than one hour…or wind gusts
are expected to reach 40 mph for any duration.

Hazardous Weather Outlook

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

There is a chance of thunderstorms tonight, with heavy rainfall
possible, mainly after midnight.

South winds may gust around 35 mph or slightly higher today.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Wednesday through Monday

The rains late Tuesday through Wednesday night will likely set the
stage for the possibility of areal flooding mid to late week, as
rounds of widespread showers and a few thunderstorms are expected,
producing multiple periods of heavy rainfall across the region
Thursday night through Saturday night. The flooding concern will
increase with each round of heavy rainfall, culminating with the
cold frontal passage Saturday night. A few strong storms cannot be
ruled out Saturday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Rainfall measurements from our spotters are requested, along with
any reports of observed flooding later in the week.

Hydrologic Outlook

The forecast weather pattern this week continues to support
multiple rain episodes, that will likely result in several inches of
rain. An initial round is expected from late tonight through
Wednesday night. Additional rains will come later in the week,
especially from Thursday night through Saturday night.

The main concern with this week`s rainfall will be the potential
for additional flooding of rivers and their tributaries. Flooding of
low land and poor drainage areas will become likely mid to late
week. We may see some flooding develop on roads that typically
experience water problems during longer duration heavy rain events,
again from mid to late week.

Stay tuned for later statements and updates.

Seven Day Outlook

This Afternoon
A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 73. Breezy, with a south wind 16 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.
Tonight
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog after 10pm. Low around 37. South wind 13 to 16 mph becoming north northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Wednesday
Showers. High near 39. North wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Wednesday Night
Showers. Low around 37. Northeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday
A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 51. Northeast wind 5 to 8 mph.
Thursday Night
Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Low around 48. East wind around 6 mph becoming south after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers. High near 58. South southwest wind around 6 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday Night
Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 49. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south after midnight.
Saturday
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 62. South southwest wind 8 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. South southwest wind 9 to 14 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. West northwest wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 36. West southwest wind around 6 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 57. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.

 

Drug sweep at FCHS this morning

Press Release by Matt Donkin, District 168 Superintendent 

WEST FRANKFORT – As part of their regular services, the Illinois State Police, working with the West Frankfort Police Department, offer Drug dog sweeps as part their prevention programs.

These visits are unannounced to school officials as to better preserve their effectiveness. One of those surprise visits is happening this morning at FCHS.

This is part of our continued cooperative work to keep our kids and our schools safe. There is no threat that we are aware of today. We also hope to have a clean sweep and then go about our regular day.

Superintendent Donkin thanks  everyone in advance for their cooperation as we work through the tough and challenging issues that we are facing.

Makandastrong fundraiser

Makanda Williams -WSIL-TV photo

BENTON – On May 11th, 2017 Makanda Williams was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic poline glioma, or DIPG, a rare malignant brain tumor found in children with no effective treatment in the U.S.

“In Mexico they’re using 8-10 different chemo therapy drugs that are all FDA approved. Every three to four weeks right now we travel, we’re gone three to four days at a time, without travel expenses, the treatment itself is 16-thousand dollars.” Carlton said.

Makanda’s mom plans to hold one of their biggest fundraisers on February 25th at the Benton Eagles. Dozens of local businesses have donated services and goods to the event.

Please click on the link for the full story from Taylor Vessel of WSIL-TV

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37540950/makandastrong-fundraiser

 

 

 

Redbirds have huge second half, defeat Vienna 61-36

Redbirds advance to face Anna-Jonesboro tonight at 7:00 in the Johnston City Class 2A regional

JOHNSTON CITY – West Frankfort exploded for 43 points in the second half to come-from-behind and beat Vienna, 61-36, in the opening round of the Johnston City Class 2A boys basketball regional Monday night.

“We got on a run in the third quarter, and I was especially proud of my kids on how they were able to maintain the runs,” said West Frankfort Kevin Toney. “They would hit a shot, but we would get right back on the horse and rode it pretty hard.”

West Frankfort trailed by two at the half and was still down by two with 6:25 remaining in the third when C.J. Johnson sank back-to-back 3-pointers and it was off to the races for the Redbirds. Johnson and Kyle Hammers led the Redbirds with 15 points each.

Please click on the link for the full story from Geary Dentison of the Southern Illinoisan.

http://thesouthern.com/sports/west-frankfort-chester-advance-at-regional/article_4a02ca84-949d-55cc-bdbb-029764a1abc1.html

Herrin Police: 12-year-old threatens girls with toy handgun in Herrin

Juvenile Suspect is from West Frankfort

WSIL image

HERRIN — A southern Illinois mother speaks out after a 12-year-old girl reportedly threatened her daughter with a gun, which appears to have been a toy.

Nicole Lacey is calling for the suspect to be held accountable as the investigation heads toward the Williamson County State’s Attorney’s office.

“My daughter is 13 years old and I have never been more terrified to send her anywhere,” Lacey said. “I don’t care if it was a fake gun, a real gun, the terror that she inflicted in my child that night was real.”

Please click on the link for the full story and video from WSIL-TV.

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37534637/police-12-year-old-threatens-girls-with-toy-handgun-in-herrin

FROM THE MARION POLICE: WANTED-ARMED AND DANGEROUS

MARION -The Marion Police Department NEED YOUR HELP in locating this person. Lemont P. Brinson, (male, 5ft.9in. 140 lbs) is currently WANTED-ARMED AND DANGEROUS in connection with multiple weapons offenses in Marion, IL (Williamson County).

If you see or know the whereabouts of Lemont P. Brinson, please contact the Marion Police Department immediately at (618) 993-2124 or notify your local police agency.

Please do not approach Brinson. Notify police immediately!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP AND STAY SAFE OUT THERE!!

Coroner Marty Leffler Confirms 2nd Weekend Traffic Crash Fatality

WHITTINGTON – Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler has confirmed that a 27-year-old male died in a single car accident on Sunday, February 18, 2018. A 9-1-1 call went out after 5:15 a.m. by a passerby who said there was a single vehicle overturned off of the roadway on Route 37 North, near Whittington, just South of the Franklin-Jefferson County line road. It appears the vehicle was traveling Northbound on Route 37 and failed to negotiate a curve, striking a driveway culvert and overturning. The 27-year-old male was found ejected from the vehicle. He was transported by ambulance to the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room where he was pronounced deceased.

The Franklin County Sheriff Department is investigating the accident. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.

This is the second single car motor vehicle accident, with a fatality in the past 26 hours.

No further information is available at this time.

Students earn high marks at WYSE Academic Challenge

INA – Over 150 students from 10 area high schools competed in the 2018 Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) Academic Challenge Regional in the last two weeks. Eight of the schools met on Rend Lake College’s campus on Wednesday, Feb. 7 to participate; however, due to weather, two other schools held make-up events on later dates.

During the WYSE Academic Challenge, schools with similar enrollment compete against one another in divisions. Christopher High School, Wayne City High School, Zeigler-Royalton High School, Sesser-Valier High School, Waltonville High School, and Webber Township High School make up Division 300. Division 700 consists of Benton Consolidated High School, Pinckneyville Community High School, and Hamilton County Senior High School. The lone Division 1500 school is Mt. Vernon Township High School.

Each student who competes in the WYSE Academic Challenge completes two exams in pre-selected subjects. They can choose from biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering graphics, English, math, or physics. Below are the regional results, followed by team photos. Students who qualify for the WYSE Sectional will compete at Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Wednesday, March 14. The Illinois State Finals will be held April 16-19 at the I-Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign.

 

Franklin County Goverment offices closed today in honor of President’s Day

All Franklin County Government offices will be closed in honor of President’s Day,

State and Federal offices, as well as schools and banks will be too.

There will not be any postal service as well.

Senator Fowler comments on Gov. Rauner’s budget address

Sen. Fowler Week-in-Review: February 12-16, 2018

The second major milestone in Illinois state government for the year was hit this week, with lawmakers coming together from both the Senate and the House of Representatives to listen to the annual Budget Address on Feb. 14.

After attending the speech, State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) was cautiously optimistic about the spending plan presented to the General Assembly.

“One of the fundamentally basic, but still critical, aspects of the Governor’s spending plan is that it is balanced, adhering to our Constitutional requirement and calling for the state to spend within its means,” said Sen. Fowler. “Stability won’t be sustained on a foundation of reckless spending or a crushing tax burden. We have to be realistic and responsible, working toward a brighter future for our state by putting an end to the cycle of overspending and overtaxing.”

Other key points from the speech critical for downstate Illinois include $100 million for higher education improvements, $100 million for statewide emergency repairs and calls for 100 new Illinois State Police Cadets, urging a tougher approach toward crime.

“Another exciting component to the proposed budget is the direct investment in the future of Southern Illinois, allocating $1 million toward the Cairo river port project,” said Sen. Fowler. “Our region has so much to offer this state in terms of opportunities, future development and potential. I’m extremely encouraged that this budget recognizes the need to invest in Southern Illinois and takes steps toward revitalizing and reviving Cairo and our surrounding communities.”

With a balanced budget on the table, Sen. Fowler stresses the importance for lawmakers to work together moving forward.

“This budget isn’t perfect and just like any other budget proposal, we have work ahead of us and tough decisions to make. However, we have a good starting foundation: a balanced budget that outlines some of the critical areas for Illinois to address. Lawmakers now have a responsibility to come together, pass the reforms our state so desperately needs, and pass a budget that works for our state and the people we represent,” concluded Sen. Fowler.

In other news this week, Illinois lost a true hero when Chicago Police Commander Paul Bauer was shot and killed on Feb. 13. In honor of his memory, all entities governed by the Illinois Flag Display Act were instructed to fly both the United States and Illinois state flags at half-staff. Commander Bauer lost his life while confronting an armed suspect outside the James R. Thompson Center, a state government office building in downtown Chicago. Bauer was a 31-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department.

Finally, Sen. Fowler is reminding people about the upcoming voter registration deadline. Illinois residents looking to vote in the March 20 primary election need to be registered by Feb. 20, which is the end of the regular registration period. This deadline also applies to those people who need to change their names or addresses. More information on registration and how to vote can be found on Sen. Fowler’s website, senatorfowler.com.

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News