New form of heroin behind several overdoses in southern IL
West Frankfort prepares for new businesses
Site of the new Taco Bell restaurant being built by the VF mall in West Frankfort (WSIL-TV photo)
Durbin Statement On Reports Of National Guard Deportation Force
Press Release from Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D) Springfield
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Immigration Subcommittee, released the following statement after a leaked pre-decisional memo outlining a Trump Administration plan to mobilize 100,000 National Guard troops to arrest and detain unauthorized immigrants. The reports are being denied by the White House and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
From Senator Durbin’s website
“The reported Trump Administration plan to mobilize as many as 100,000 National Guard troops to arrest and detain unauthorized immigrants would be a frightening exercise of police state tactics.
“Trump executive orders have re-defined criminal activity so as to make undocumented immigrants with traffic offenses priorities for deportation. The same order calls for increasing the number of ICE agents to enforce the order from 5,000 to 15,000.
“Now, this plan which would add 100,000 Guardsmen to the effort shows the extreme measures the Trump Administration would take to break up families and deport people who have lived in this country peaceably for decades.
“We cannot rein in the hateful anti-immigrant agenda of the Administration unless the American people stand in solidarity against it.
“This is not a bizarre tweet. This is a brazen, heavy-handed assault on innocent people.”
Abbott expands hub for medical dispatching, plans to add 75 jobs
Abbott EMS, who provides ambulance service for most of Franklin County, is expanding their St. Louis dispatch center. (Post-Dispatch photo)
Town of Christopher honors K9 officer
Severin Responds to St. Clair Judge Denying AG Madigan’s motion to block paychecks to state employees as a result of the budget impasse
Statement from State Represenative Dave Severin (R) Benton’s website, repseverin.com
Dave Severin (middle right) on the floor of the General Assembly
Thursday, the St. Clair County Circuit Court made a responsible decision to deny the Attorney General’s request to block paychecks to state workers amidst the current budget impasse. From the beginning I felt this was a political stunt. It is a waste of time and tax payer money to create these legal battles that distract everyone from our root problems.
Now it’s up to the General Assembly and the Governor to come together pass a balanced budget. However, to avoid future threats to state employees, I am supporting a bipartisan effort that would keep them from being used as political pawn permanently by guaranteeing their pay checks even in the absence of a budget.”
Train derailment causes road problems in Franklin County
RLC crowns Hutchens, Pytlinski 2017 Homecoming King and Queen
ReAnne Palmer- Rend Lake College Media Services
INA- IL Rend Lake College announced the 2017 Homecoming King and Queen last night during halftime of the Warriors basketball game tonight against Southeastern Illinois College. Wade Hutchens
Wade Hutchens, LEFT, and Grace Pytlinski, RIGHT, were crowned the Rend Lake College 2017 Homecoming King and Queen during halftime of the Warriors Basketball game Wednesday night. The King and Queen are voted for by the RLC student body every spring. (ReAnne Palmer – RLC Media Services)
of Ewing and Grace Pytlinski of Waltonville, both representing the Collegiate FFA, were crowned King and Queen.
Hutchens is the son of Rob and Kathy Hutchens. The Benton Consolidated High School graduate is an Agriculture Business major at RLC. After graduating, Hutchens plans to attend Illinois State University and continue on to graduate school, pursuing a degree in Animal Science Nutrition.
Pytlinski is the daughter of Bruce and Annette Pytlinski. The Waltonville High School graduate is an Agriculture Business and Production Management major. She plants to transfer to Murray State University to continue her education in Plant and Soil Sciences. She hopes to one day become an agronomist, working for a large company like Monsanto or Syngenta.
Runners-up for the evening were Nick Marlo of Sesser and Cali Carney of Benton, both representing the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams.
The RLC 2017 Homecoming Court is, FROM LEFT, Nick Marlo of Sesser; Cali Carney of Benton; Tanner Maskey of Springfield; Hannah Poynter of Louisville, Ky.; Conner Jackson of Bluford; Skylyn Simpson of Sesser; Damien Wilburn of Thompsonville; Taylor Aldridge of Eldorado; Lane Bradley of Steeleville; Beth Moats of Wayne City; Wade Hutchens of Ewing; and Grace Pytlinski of Waltonville. (ReAnne Palmer – RLC Media Services
Marlo is a Sesser-Valier High School graduate and son of David and Cathy Marlo. He is studying Business Finance and RLC with plans to transfer to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and continue his education there. In the future, he also plans to get an internship and job after completing a Master’s Degree.
Carney is the daughter of Chad and Liz Carney, and is a graduate of Benton Consolidated High School. She is a Nursing major at RLC. In the future, Carney hopes to become a registered nurse and coach.
Franklin County Sheriff’s office recent arrests
- On 2/8/17 at 9:34 p.m., a traffic stop in Benton resulted in the arrest of Kim L. Kash Age 44 of Benton for driving under the influence and illegal transportation of alcohol
- On 2/9/17 at 4:40 p.m., Deputies responded to Sugar Creek Road in rural Benton in regards to a disturbance. The investigation led to the arrest of Anthony K. Reed, age 35 of Christopher, for criminal trespass and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
- On 2/10/17 at 12:52 a.m., a traffic stop in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Debra S. Dingrando, age 55 of West Frankfort for improper lane usage and driving under the influence.
- On 2/10.17 at 9:13 p.m., a traffic crash occurred on Mercury Road, one mile east of Fox Hunter Road. An 1986 Dodge 1500 pickup driven by Jacob L. Holdren age 16 of Christopher was west bound on Mercury Road when a deer entered the roadway causing the driver to lose control, run off the roadway and strike a tree. The driver and a 17 year old female received minor injuries but both refused medical treatment. The driver was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.
- On 2/11/17 at 2:13 a.m., a traffic stop in Benton resulted in the arrest of Ryan S. Lowery, age 22 of Benton for driving under the influence and illegal transportation of alcohol.
- On 2/11/17 at 1:45 p.m., a traffic stop in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Kevin G. Osborn of Zeigler for driving while license revoked, illegal transportation of alcohol, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
- On 2/12/17 at 10:54 a.m. a traffic stop in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Cody M. Key age 25 in West Frankfort for driving while license revoked.
- On 2/15/17 at 11:22 p.m. a traffic stop on State Highway 14 west of Benton resulted in the arrest of Melinda D. Burns age 48 of Sesser for felony driving under the influence, driving while revoked, possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal transportation of alcohol.
WARRANT ARRESTS
- 2/8/17 – Cole T. Lee, 22 of Johnston City, for failure to appear on a DUI charge.
- 2/8/17 – Michael D. Needham, 21 of Herrin, for failure to appear on a traffic charge
- 2/9/17 – Kevin Kay, 26 of West Frankfort, for failure to appear on a domestic battery charge.
- 2/9/17 – Haley Redmond, 19 of Marion for failure to appear on a traffic charge
- 2/10/17 – Kaley L. Wher, 30 of Avon IN, for failure to appear for making a false 911 call.
- 2/10/17 – Jake B. Lambert, 21 of Benton, for violation of probation
- 2/10/17 – Preston T. Williams, 19 of Benton, for a battery charge.
- 2/11/17 – Leonard K. Curry, 36 of Christopher, for failure to appear on a traffic charge.
- 2/13/17 – Jacklin D. Domoleczny. 26 of Desoto, for failure to appear on methamphetamine charges.
- 2/13/17 – Rhonday K. Howell, 51 of Benton, for failure to appear on DUI
- 2/15/17 – Stephen R. Irvin, 52 of West Frankfort, for failure to appear on traffic charges.
Severin: Governor Showed Leadership at Budget Address
State Represenative Dave Severin with governor Bruce Rauner on a visit to Herrin Middle School
SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) today said the Governor showed great leadership and gave guidance to the General Assembly in his Budget Address on Wednesday. Severin also expressed an eagerness to work out a compromise.
“The Governor really stepped up today,” Severin said, “He gave the General Assembly direction and leadership, by outlining parameters to the Senate’s compromise. This sort of direction has been desperately needed. Now it is time for us to put partisan politics aside, roll up our sleeves, and get to work on a long-term balanced budget.”
In the end, Severin was happy to see that the Governor’s top priorities are job creation, keeping taxes down and economic growth. Severin believes having a budget that enables those things is a must.
“At the end of the day, we cannot expect to tax our way out of our financial woes. We have to get more high paying jobs coming to Illinois. By doing this there is no doubt that this state will see a tremendous amount of economic growth.” Severin said, “That’s why I believe any balanced budget has to be a bargain for taxpayers and job creators alike.”
