Enjoy today…..a wet work week ahead….chances of mixed precip out of the forecast

February 18, 2018 By Leave a Comment

We’re closely following the threat of heavy rain coming up this week. At this time, the best chances for widespread heavy rainfall will be Tuesday night through Wednesday and again Friday into Saturday. If you have interests near area creeks and rivers, be sure to pay close attention to the latest forecasts. Keep up to date with the latest forecasts for your location at weather.gov/pah. (NWS-Paducah image)

Hydrologic Outlook

An unsettled weather pattern will result in potentially significant rainfall this week. Two periods of concern will be late Tuesday through Wednesday, then again late in the week. Several inches of rainfall are forecast. The anticipated heavy rainfall will be spread out over several days. This kind of scenario favors flooding of low land, poor drainage areas. It should also cause rises on area rivers and their tributaries.

The heaviest rainfall late Tuesday through Wednesday should be across southeast Missouri, southern Illinois and possibly southwest Indiana. By the end of the week, nearly all of the region including west Kentucky will experience heavy rainfall.

Stay up to date on the latest forecasts in the coming days for additional updates and forecasts.

Seven Day Forecast

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. South southeast wind 9 to 13 mph.
Tonight
Showers likely after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature rising to around 59 by 5am. South wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Washington’s Birthday
Showers likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 69. Breezy, with a south wind 16 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 15 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tuesday
Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 73. Breezy, with a south wind 17 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night
Showers before 9pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 9pm and 3am, then showers after 3am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 41. South wind 10 to 16 mph becoming north northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Wednesday
Showers likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 44. North wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night
Showers likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 33. North northeast wind 7 to 9 mph.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. North northeast wind around 8 mph.
Thursday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. East wind around 7 mph.
Friday
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 52. East wind 6 to 9 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 47. South southwest wind 8 to 10 mph.
Saturday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Southwest wind 9 to 11 mph.
Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Tuesday last day to register to vote in Illinois primary

February 18, 2018 By Leave a Comment

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.

If residents miss the deadline, it’s not their last opportunity to register. Illinois now offers a grace period. Although the traditional voter registration period closes 28 days prior to the election, grace period registration extends that deadline up to Election Day. However, grace period registration is only available in-person at designated sites and requires individuals to vote at the same time they register.

The State Board of Elections encourages individuals to check with their local election authorities to determine locations and hours available for grace period registration/voting.

For more information on how to vote in the upcoming election, click here.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler Confirms Traffic Crash Fatality

February 18, 2018 By Leave a Comment

BENTON – Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler has confirmed that a 21-year-old male died in a single car accident Saturday morning just after 3:00 a.m. The accident occurred West of Sam Pyle Bridge Road on State Route 14. It appears the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve left the roadway, striking a guide wire attached to a utility pole, the vehicle came to an abrupt stop striking a tree on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was traveling Westbound on Route 14.

The Franklin County Sheriff Department is investigating the accident. An autopsy is being scheduled. No further information is available at this time. The name of the 21-year-old male will be released after all family members have been notified of the death.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Christopher Unit District #99 addresses an issue of an incident with student

February 17, 2018 By Leave a Comment

CHRISTOPHER – CUSD #99 would like to address an issue that occurred at CES. Recently, a non-functional AirSoft gun was brought to the school by a student. Students made the staff aware of the presence of the non-functional AirSoft gun. Administration was notified and addressed the issue quickly. The student has been addressed accordingly.

It needs to be emphatically stated; Students were NEVER in danger at ANYTIME. The toy gun was not functional. It was NEVER used.

We want to commend the students, staff, administration, and School Resource Office for quick action. With all that has gone on recently, CUSD #99 is totally committed to keeping all of our students safe. Every decision and action is directed towards that goal.

From the district’s Facebook page

Filed Under: Breaking News, Christopher News, Coello News, Franklin Co. News

Three Benton residents arrested on drug charges

February 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment

BENTON – On February 13th, 2018 Benton Police arrested Patrick S. McClerren, age 42, of Benton on active warrants for both Franklin and Williamson counties for failure to appear.  McClerren was also charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Through further investigation, police also arrested two other individuals identified as Angela Patterson, age 40, and Samantha Thebeau, age 26, both of Benton for unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. McClerren, Patterson, and Thebeau were all charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On February 16th, 2018 Benton Police arrested Roy D. Stinson, age 42, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear.  Stinson was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

The public is reminded the alleged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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

Frankfort Unit School District #168 Update on School Safety Measures

February 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Press Release from Matt Donkin – Superintendent 

WEST FRANKFORT – As part of the district’s on-going planning and work on security measures in our schools, Frankfort CUSD #168 continues to use various strategies and actions each day to keep everyone alert and aware of potential incidents that could happen. One of those random strategies and actions may involve searching with metal detectors.

Today, Frankfort Community High School is conducting searches with metal detectors as students are entering school. School staff was joined by members of the West Frankfort Police Department in our ongoing partnership to keep our schools safe and assist us in conducting the searches. There has been no active threat to the schools of the district today. Please be aware that we continue to ask our students and their families to report any concerns or information they may have. We will investigate information that we receive to its conclusion to insure the safety of our students and our staff.

This school district continues its emergency assessment and planning as we all ask ourselves across this community and across this nation what needs to be done to prevent future school incidents

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

MO & IL Post Offices to Close in observance of Presidents’ Day

February 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Self Service Kiosk available at select Post Offices, mail will be collected

 

St. Louis, MO —MO & IL Post Offices will observe President’s Day on Monday, February 19, 2018, a federal holiday. All Offices will be closed and there will be no mail delivery.

Customers needing postal services may use self-service kiosks at select locations or visit Postal Service Approved Shippers. Go to www.usps.com to find a location near you.

Mail will be collected from blue street collection boxes beginning at [TIME].  Postal officials advise anyone with stamped or metered mail ready for delivery, especially businesses, to drop this mail into a blue collection box instead of waiting to do so the following day.

The Post Offices will reopen and regular mail delivery will resume on Tuesday, February 20, 2018.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

USACE Announces Temporary Closure of Sections of the Rend Lake Bike Trail

February 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment

BENTON –  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake is announcing the temporary closure of a section of the Rend Lake Bike Trail. The closure is an extension of the current closure and will be in effect until  further notice. The closure will allow maintenance personnel to safely remove hazard trees adjacent to the trail. The section of trail between the entrance gate of the North Sandusky Recreation Area west and south to the bridge crossing Sandusky Creek will be barricaded to discourage all entry.

Updated information will be posted on the Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center Facebook page.  For further information, contact the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center at 618-724-2493.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

‘Security Dawgs’ look to earn collegiate cybersecurity berth

February 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Benton’s Steve Osborn part of the team as an alternate

By Pete Rosenbery – SIU News Service 

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s “Security Dawgs” will host a section of the annual Illinois Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition on Saturday, Feb. 17.

EDX Unage

SIU is one of two sites to host the statewide, 11-team competition, which mirrors what students will see in the corporate technology world. The “Security Dawgs” will seek a third state title in six years. Also competing at SIU will be teams from John A. Logan College, Lake Land College Southeastern Illinois College.

Teams work to keep their site secure from hackers and unwanted cyberattacks, and are responsible for system maintenance, upgrades, and completing other requests, such as installing or upgrading a website in the simulated competition. Teams earn points based upon how successful they are at accomplishing the business tasks, in addition to identifying and stopping hacker attacks, and writing incident reports.

Team built on camaraderie, chemistry

The Security Dawgs return four members from last year’s team and have been practicing since the start of the fall 2017 semester. Several of the squad members were on the team that finished fifth out of 179 teams in the National Cyber League last fall.

“A big part of our plan for success is our camaraderie as a team,” Belle Woodward, an associate professor in the School of Information Systems and Applied Technologies and faculty adviser for the registered student organization, said. “We’ve gotten really close as a team over the last year. I think that really helps when it comes down to that last rush of constant, daily practice. I couldn’t be more proud of how much work these guys have put in to learning for this competition, and not being afraid to embrace more things to do beyond it.”

Competition enhances students’ academic experience 

Woodward said the event gives SIU students a chance to receive a practical look into many of the skills they learn in class, defend against attackers in the competition, and reminds them that the end goal is making sure a businesses’ network is not interrupted.

“This is also a valuable experience in teamwork and commitment,” she said. “Many students who participate learn enough to be more than ready for even the hardest classes they’ll face at SIU, and have a leg up in real-world experience.” 

Cybersecurity event expects strong field

The Security Dawgs have a strong reputation in collegiate cybersecurity competitions. The team has won three state competitions, most recently in 2014, and finished second in 2015, 2016, and 2017. The team has advanced to the Midwest regional competition in seven of the last 10 years, including a wildcard berth in 2017.

The other state competition site is Moraine Valley Community College, which is hosting six more teams.

The top team in the state will advance to the Midwest regional competition, March 23-24, at Moraine Valley Community College. There they will face the top teams from Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Second-place in the respective state competitions will compete for a wildcard slot on March 10. The Midwest regional winner advances to the 11th annual National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition April 13-15 in San Antonio, Texas.

The Team

Security Dawg team members are:

ILLINOIS

  • Benton: Steve Osborn, information systems technologies, junior (alternate)
  • Centralia: Ronald DeBernardi, information systems technologies, senior
  • Hoffman Estates: Christian Scott, information systems technologies, senior
  • Marion: Trenton Taylor, information systems technologies, senior
  • Mattoon: Mark Blume, information systems technologies, senior
  • Northbrook: Ben Fairbanks, information systems technologies, junior
  • Oak Lawn: Jacob Kupres, information systems technologies, senior (alternate)
  • Pittsburg: Curtis McRoy, information systems technologies, senior (alternate)

FLORIDA

  • Naples: Thomas Birch, information systems technologies, senior

MINNESOTA

  • Sauk Centre: Brianna Yagow, information systems technologies, junior

MISSOURI

  • Imperial: Jesse Frawley, information systems technologies, junior (alternate)

TEXAS

  • Houston: Vincent Davis, computer science, senior

 

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

Bost Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve Soil Quality

February 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) and Representative Darren Soto (D-FL) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Nutrient Management Technical Service Provider Certification Act, to expand options for agriculture producers to access nutrient management technical assistance. This bill would allow qualified individuals, including Certified Crop Advisors or Certified Agronomists, to act as Technical Service Providers for nutrient management.

The Nutrient Management Technical Service Provider Certification Act is supported by The Fertilizer Institute, Agricultural Retailers Association, Land O’ Lakes, American Society of Agronomy, and the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association.

“Our bipartisan bill cuts red tape and gives our farmers more resources to improve soil quality,” said Bost. “The Department of Agriculture has said that it lacks the manpower to provide technical assistance to farmers trying to implement nutrient management practices.  I appreciated working with Rep. Soto on a solution that expands options for farmers seeking technical assistance related to these practices.”

“Agribusiness retailers’ commitment to professionalism is evidenced in their decision to employ agronomists who have achieved the CCA or CPAg certification,” said TFI President, Chris Jahn. “USDA recognition of these agronomists as Technical Service Providers is a win-win for farm profitability and the environment.”

“Agricultural retailers serve as trusted advisors to farmers. Streamlining the certification process for agricultural retailers to achieve technical service provider status will allow farmers, retailers, and NRCS to better communicate and collaborate, as well as improve conservation planning, soil health and nutrient stewardship initiatives and efforts,” said Agricultural Retailers Association President and CEO Daren Coppock.

“CCAs and CPAgs have met the standards for agronomy knowledge, experience and ethics set by the American Society of Agronomy.  They are a trusted farm adviser in agronomic practices and inputs.  We are very excited to see them recognized for their professional expertise in this bill,” said American Society of Agronomy spokesman Karl Anderson.

Background:

The demand for the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) conservation technical assistance and the financial incentives provided by farm bill conservation programs is at an all-time high. The natural resource concerns and regulatory challenges our farmers face are also growing and use of conservation practices, like the 4Rs (Right Place, Right Rate, Right Source, and Right Time) are being widely implemented across farm country. Increasing the engagement of the private sector in conservation delivery can help with this demand on capacity and resources.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) utilizes Technical Service Providers (TSPs), which are either individuals or businesses with technical expertise in conservation planning that help producers achieve conservation goals. The current certification process can be time consuming, expensive, and duplicative to many trained conservation professionals and proves to be an impediment to the private sector’s desire to become a TSP.

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