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BENTON, IL – (Tia Rineheart – WSIL TV Please click on the link to read the whole story. Here is an excerpt) Since the 1800s, the Franklin County Courthouse has been at the center of Benton. In April, Franklin County voters will decide whether or not a new courthouse will be built. Franklin County board member Tom Vaughn said the vote is to approve a one percent sales tax increase that will fund the new courthouse. “It is on the ballot for a 20-year sundown period, and in 20 years it will go off the ballot, but we really anticipate being able to retire this bond and in deftness in a shorter time than that. 15 years is kind of what we’re pretty sure of and it could be even sooner than that,” Vaughn said. It won’t be an increase on everything you buy. All foods and medicine, prescribed and over-the-counter, would be exempt from the tax increase. But everything else would increase. County leaders heard the concerns of community members at a town hall in Benton Tuesday.

On 2-23-2017 at 9:01 p.m., Deputies responded to a crash on State Hwy. 154 one mile East of North Rend City Road. A 2010 Chevrolet driven by Asia B.J. Sanders Age 19 of West Frankfort went out of control and struck a guardrail. There were no injuries; however the driver was cited for zero-tolerance D.U.I. and unlawful consumption of alcohol.

On 2-25-17 at 2:15 p.m., a traffic stop in West Frankfort led to the arrest of Richard K. Fitts Age 50 of West Frankfort for driving while license revoked.

On 2-26-17 at 3:00 p.m., Deputies responded to a burglary and theft that occurred at the Ezra Church of God in Pershing. The investigation resulted in the arrest of four (4) rural West Frankfort male juveniles. One 17 year old, a 15 year old, and two 14 year olds. All are being held in the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center. They are charged with burglary of a place of worship, felony theft, criminal trespass and criminal defacement of a place of worship. Items taken were tools, video and sound equipment, and household items. Most of the items were recovered.

On 2-26-17 at 3:09 p.m., a traffic stop in West Frankfort led to the arrest of Jonathan D. Pendall Age27 of West Frankfort for driving while license suspended and an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on a traffic charge.

On 2-26-17 at 11:30 a.m., a traffic stop in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Kevin W. Shuman Age 40 of Benton for unlawful possession of an open title of a motor vehicle and for failure to appear on a felony charge of unlawfully damaging government property.

On 3-1-17 at 12: 17 p.m., Deputies responded to a traffic crash on Hwy.37 ¼ mile north of Barton Lane. A 2002 Mercury was north bound driven by Cady R. Holman Age 25 of West Frankfort rear ended a 2006 Chevrolet Impala driven by Joshua Slack Age 26 of West Frankfort. Holman was not injured and was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash. Slack received minor injuries as did a passenger in his vehicle, Caitlyn Parkhill Age 20 of West Frankfort. Both refused medical treatment.

Warrant Arrests

2-25-17 Cathy L. Williams Age 53 of Mulkeytown on a battery charge.

2-27-17 Joshua L. Hazel Age 24 of Benton for failure to appear on a possession of controlled substance charge.

2-27-17 Lauren K. Amberger Age 26 of Benton for failure to appear on an forgery charge.

3-1-17 Gregory W. Key Age 24 of DuQuoin for failure to appear on a unlawful consumption charge.

3-1-17 Kristen M. Asbury Age 28 of Murphysboro for failure to appear on a retail theft charge.

• Sheriff Don Jones

INA, IL– Join Rend Lake College’s Community and Corporate Education Division this spring on three day tours through St. Louis, St. Charles, and Southern Illinois. Each trip offers participants the chance to see unique sides of these local sites.

In April, enjoy a Taste of St. Louis with stops at several popular restaurants and cafés. Begin at Gus’s Pretzels and Urzi’s Italian Market to pick up treats such as pretzels, cheese, and pepperoni. The tour will also stop at the Missouri Baking Company to partake of homemade cookies. Lunch will be at Pappy’s Smokehouse for a buffet of pulled pork, beef brisket, pulled chicken and much more. After lunch, enjoy dessert at the Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Factory and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard.

The Taste of St. Louis tour costs $113, and is scheduled for Tuesday, April 18. Tour fees, samples at all locations, lunch, gratuities and charter bus transportation are included. Pre-registration is required by Monday, March 20. The bus departs from the Ina campus at 7:30 a.m. and will return by 6:30 p.m. The bus also stops at the RLC MarketPlace at 8 a.m. with a return time of 6 p.m.

Also in April, explore the wonders of Southern Illinois with a tour of the Ancient Native American World. Kick off the day with lunch at Giant City Lodge for the famous family-style dinner. After lunch, dive into the ancient Native American world with the Environmental Education staff at Southern Illinois University’s Touch of Nature Environmental Center for a presentation about the pre-Columbian occupation of Southern Illinois. Discussion of cultural periods and peoples, regional sites to visit, and connecting to ancient peoples through experimental archaeology will be covered, including a demonstration of making yucca cordage.

The Ancient Native American World tour costs $69, and is scheduled for Thursday, April 6. Lunch, gratuities, presentation fee and charter bus transportation are included. Pre-registration is required by Thursday, March 23. The bus departs from the Mt. Vernon MarketPlace at 9:45 a.m. and will return by 5:30 p.m. The bus also stops at main Ina campus at 10 a.m. with a return time of 5 p.m.

The final trip will put participants in the shoes of a famous folk hero during the Daniel Boone Home & Historic St. Charles tour. Start the day on historic Main Street in St. Charles as a costumed guide provides a tour of the cobblestone street and stops in several quaint shops along the way. Enjoy lunch at the Mother-In-Law House, featuring their famous homemade soup, salad and chicken salad bar. After lunch, journey back in time to relive the adventures of American longhunter Daniel Boone. Visit the home where he lived and learn the history of this legendary pioneer.

The Daniel Boone Home & Historic St. Charles tour costs $109, and is scheduled for Thursday, May 18. Tour fees, lunch, gratuities, and charter bus transportation are included. Pre-registration is required by Monday, April 3. The bus departs from the Ina campus at 7:30 a.m., and will return by 6:30 p.m. The bus also stops at the RLC MarketPlace at 8 a.m. with a return time of 6 p.m.

To learn more about this class, or any others this spring, call 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714. Pre-registration may be done in person, via phone call, or by emailingcommcorped@rlc.edu.

Please view this pamphlet from Illinois Emergency Management Agency to go over as a severe weather checklist.  It is 15 pages long.  We have the potential to experience hail, high winds, and tornadoes tonight.