The Illinois State Police and several media reports are saying there is a multi vehicle accident the Northbound lanes of Interstate 57 near the Goreville exit, (Exit 40)
Traffic is backed up in both directions. Please seek an alternate route.
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Bost Votes to Improve Accountability at VA
June 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) issued the following statement after the House voted with a large bipartisan majority to pass the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act (S. 1094) to improve accountability and whistleblower protections at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):
“The vast majority of employees at the VA are honest and hardworking, and it’s unfair to the good employees when the VA refuses to or cannot hold bad actors accountable,” said Rep. Bost. “Mismanagement and misconduct wouldn’t be accepted at any business or corporation, and it certainly shouldn’t be allowed at the VA. Our veterans deserve nothing but the best health care services and support after valiantly serving their country and protecting our freedoms. That begins with each VA employee being held accountable for his or her job performance. No hero should suffer because government bureaucrats failed to fulfill their responsibilities.”
A summary of S. 1094 can be found HERE.
Rend Lake College Board of Trustees Special Meeting Minutes
June 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Bond resolution approved
The board on Tuesday approved a resolution providing for the issue of approximately $5 million in general obligation community college bonds for the purpose of paying claims against the district, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the execution of a bond purchase agreement with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc., in connection with the sale of said bonds.
Hunter moves to Financial Aid Office
The board approved the transfer of Kacie Hunter from Accounts Receivable Specialist to Financial Aid Specialist effective June 12, 2017. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sports Management with a minor in Business from Indiana University and an Associate in Science Degree from Parkland College. She had been with the Business Office since March 2015, and prior to that served as an administrative assistant in RLC’s Mining and Industrial Department.
Taco Bell offering a free taco today –
June 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment
If you are out and about in today, Taco Bell is offering a free Doritos Locos taco between 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
This is part their promotion “Steal a Win, Grab a Taco”, which they would offer a free taco if a road team would pick up a win in the NBA finals. The Golden State Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Three for this to take place on “taco Tuesday.”
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FOWLER, SEVERIN TO HOST FREE MARION SENIOR FAIR
June 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment
HARRISBURG, IL – State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) and State Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) are hosting their first annual free Senior Fair at the Marion HUB Rec Center on June 27 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m
Blood pressure screenings will be conducted, and oral health specialists are also going to be available to provide free screenings for seniors. A mental health professional will also be on-site to meet with individuals to discuss depression and anxiety. Grip strength testing and some limited immunizations will also be available.
All interested senior citizens in the Marion area are invited to attend for information and demonstrations on important quality-of-life issues.
The Illinois Treasurer’s Office will have the I-Cash database available for interested residents to look for unclaimed checks or property. Government agencies will be on hand to provide information on scams and fraud that target senior citizens, prescription and insurance programs, veterans’ benefits, stroke awareness, immunizations and many other programs.
Free refreshments and a door prize will be drawn for at the end of the event.
What: Sen. Fowler and Rep. Severin Free Senior Fair 2017
When: Tuesday, June 27, 2017, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Where: Marion HUB Rec Center, 917 W. Main, Marion
For further information about the event, contact Sen. Fowler’s office at 618-294-8951 or Rep. Severin’s office at 618-440-5090.
IDOT plans to install more cable barriers to combat crashes
June 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment
http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/story/35647935/idot-plans-to-install-more-cable-barriers-to-combat-crashes
CARBONDALE, IL – (Logan Gay, WPSD-TV. Please click on the link for the full story and video. Here is an excerpt below.)
Four people died this weekend in three separate crashes on Interstate 57 and Interstate 24 in Illinois. The crashes involved drivers crossing the median and hitting oncoming cars. Troopers with Illinois State Police are still investigating the crashes.
“Fatigue is one of the big contributors where people fall asleep and come through the median. Another one is medical issues or they will have some sort of medical condition. They’ll make a lane change and lose control of the vehicle,” Joey Watson of the Illinois State police said.
“The cable median barrier is designed to stop or prevent median crossover type crashes. Now, guardrail and cable median isn’t crash tested for a semi,” said IDOT District 9 Program Development Engineer Carrie Nelson.
Power outage in Logan-Parrish area
June 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment
by Steve Dunford
From reading posts on social media, there is a power outage in the Logan-Parrish area of the county. The area is south of Route 34.
Southeastern Illinois Electric-Cooperative is reporting on their website 27 homes without power at this time. They have not given a restoration time yet.
Where to watch the solar eclipse in August
June 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment
http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/summer/photos/where-to-watch-the-solar-eclipse-in-august
Mike Sirach – Enjoy Illinois
(Kassandra Kloss -The Travel Channel. Please click on the link for the slide show.)
NOTE: The Travel Channel composed a slide show of the nine best places to view the Eclipse in August. Southern Illinois made the list. I hope you enjoy some of the beautiful places across America where optimal viewing will be best.
Benton brings back Farm City Day after 21 years
June 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/35636494/benton-hosts-farm-city-day
WSIL, _TV
BENTON, IL – (Andrew Feather, WSIL – TV. Please click on the link above for the full story and video. Here is an excerpt below.)
Saturday, a festival not held for 21 years was brought back to life in Benton.
“I remember it being fun, exciting, community oriented,” Steve Browning said. “It brought a lot of people together.”
After consulting with the Franklin County Farm Bureau, Browning organized the first City Farm Day in more than two decades.
The day, meant to celebrate the farm industry in Illinois, brought hundreds of people to the Benton Public square for a festival of food, fun and all things farming.
