Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
For months, Attorney General Lisa Madigan and her father, House Speaker Michael Madigan, brushed aside the notion that it would be a conflict of interest if she served as governor while he continued to run the General Assembly.
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.
Students and families should understand what is desired from an education. Socially or politically prescribed solutions for personal aspirations don’t work.
“Truth, like gold, is to be obtained not by its growth, but by washing away from it all that is not gold.
— Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy —
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Oregon is breaking the funding mold for higher education. House Bill 3472 passed overwhelmingly and awaits the governor’s signature. With no initial student investment, the plan proposes a maximum guaranteed loan payback of 3% of a borrower’s annual income for 24 years. An uncollateralized no down payment loan with eventual payback fixed to earning capacity.
The plan has been dubbed “Pay it Forward, Pay it Back.” It has a nice ring to it.
The impetus: Soaring costs and a 100% jump of interest rates from 3.4% to 6.8% on federally backed Stafford loans. It’s not surprising that students enrolled at Portland State University in a class entitled “Student Debt: Economics, Policy and Advocacy” helped give the legislative effort legs.
However, it should produce trepidation that will compound like interest on a loan shark’s balloon note.
Some aspects of HB 3472 are unclear. What is crystal clear: The $24,616 in debt carried by the average student graduating from a university in Oregon grieves elected officials. I can promise you it grieves students and their families. I talk to them every day. It grieves leaders who ignore the devastating combination of increasing costs, diminished expectations and falling value of college degrees. Intelligent action is required…grief fixes nothing.
Increasing costs are marked by runaway tuition and fees. Diminished expectations are evidenced in grade inflation, admission granted to unprepared students, and a proliferation of degrees with neither workforce benefit nor preparation for graduate school. On some days it seems the enterprise is falling apart, and proposals like HB 3472 are seductive in the educational leadership vacuum that chokes change by doggedly holding on to the campus status quo: more students, more money.
Universities offer an ever growing number of junk degrees. Tuition dollars are wrung out of students for study of little intrinsic or extrinsic value. With little emotional investment and no financial obligation, student commitment to study is too frequently in the tank.
Institutional and elected leadership pander for support fueled by a twisted view that success in life is tied to a college degree; the Oregon legislation does nothing to retool the calculus of higher education.
I don’t believe every degree must produce an immediate job. Every degree should provide opportunities for continued intellectual and economic growth to its holder. Intellectual and economic growth is determined on a one-at-a-time basis by a student. State run equations don’t work. This commoditization of a university education equates an education to a cell phone, iPod, or food: it’s misguided and undermines the purpose of a university, community college, and trade school, all.
HB 3472 as championed by the 7000 member Oregon Working Families Party is riddled with potholes.
First, the road is indeed paved with good intentions. Of course, nearly $25,000 in debt for a degree with low value of any kind is wrong and impossible to defend before thoughtful families. Making more of these kinds of degrees available to more people on more borrowed money is even more egregious, no matter the payback plan.
Second, a degree guarantees little. Students and families need to be honestly apprised of the power of a specific degree, at a specific time. Performance is neither granted nor guaranteed by a degree. Value is not produced by the state, but by capable individuals. House Bill 3472 reinforces the idea that the degree is a trinket.
Third, it worked in Australia. Really? The jury is still out down under. Indeed debt is lower, but has the value of the degree increased? Is the human condition or economy better or stronger? These are pivotal unanswered questions.
Fourth, value in anything earned decreases when attainment is guaranteed or easy. A university education is a private betterment. Public benefit comes when the knowledge and insight gained are levied by an individual.
Unwary prospectors looking for real gold are confused by Pyrite. Students and families are similarly fooled by specious claims at what lies at the end of the rainbow, and too often it’s not a pot o’ gold, but a bag o’ debt, regardless of how it is paid off.
LAKE OF EGYPT — One of the largest bass fishing tournaments in the nation is coming to Southern Illinois. The winner earns $400,000 in cash.
The Lake of Egypt, located in southeastern Williamson County, will be the site for the “Big Kahuna World Championship Bass Fishing Tournament” as part of the Bass Widows Fishing Series.
In all, $1.3 million in prize money will be awarded throughout eight weekly qualifying tournaments leading up to the championship round where even second place pays an astounding $200,000.
“This will be one of the largest prize money tournament series in America,” said Jody Perrotto, one of the event’s organizers and owner of the Johnny Bass Fishing Campus and Event Center at the Egyptian Hills Resort where tournament activities will be centered.
“This is an incredible event to be held in Southern Illinois, and an incredible amount of money to be won. If you can set the hook, you could be the big Kahuna and take home the $400,000 prize,” Perrotto said.
The tournament starts October 2. Registration for the tournament begins July 15.
To qualify for the championship tournament, fishermen must place in one of the top 15 positions during any one of the eight qualifying tournaments; qualifying tournaments are held each week leading up to the championship.
First place in the qualifying tournaments pays $20,000. Each of the 8 qualifying tournaments are a major bass fishing tournament in their own right.
“There will be a total of 120 entries competing for the championship,” Perrotto said. “Cash prizes will be awarded to the top 15 finishers.” ($400,000, first-place; $200,000, second-place; $100,000, third-place; $50,000, fourth-place; $30,000, fifth-place; $20,000, sixth-place; $17,000, seventh-place; $12,000, eighth-place; $10,000, ninth-place; $7,000, 10th-place; $5,000, 11th-place; $3,000, 12th-place; $2,000, 13th-place; $2,000, 14th-place; $2,000, 15th-place.)
“This is the best pot odds in fishing,” Perrotto said. “Plus you are fishing one of the most beautiful lakes in the nation rated as one of the top three bass fishing lakes in the state.”
The Lake of Egypt is a 2,300-acre reservoir located about seven miles south of Marion just off Interstate 57. It has 93 miles of shoreline. The lake’s average depth is 19 feet with a maximum depth of 52 feet.
There is a $2,000 entry fee for the qualifying tournaments. Each qualifying tournament will be limited to 125 two-angler boats.” Anglers wanting to participate are included on a first come basis and “should enter early as we are receiving inquiries from all over the country.” Perrotto said.
For more information, go to www.basswidowsfishing.com or contact the Fishermen’s Information Line at 618-995-2151 or 708-669-4988.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — When Gov. Pat Quinn tried to impose his last-minute restrictions on Illinois’ new concealed-carry gun law, he spent days rallying support in Chicago neighborhoods with stops at a West Side church, a community center and even historic Wrigley Field.
Tina Louise Cockrum, 48, of Christopher, passed away July 11, 2013 at her home.
She worked as a CNA and sold Avon and was a member of the Sesser Church of God.
Tina was born March 31, 1965 to Noble Lee Cockrum and Ellen (Graves) Cockrum. She was preceded in death by her father and her mother survives.
Also surviving is a sister, Connie and John Halliday, Carterville, IL, and two nieces Kelli and Makenzie Halliday and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Tina is also survived by her dog Mickey.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 15, 2013 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. Visitation will be on Sunday, July 14, 2013 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at Horse Prairie Cemetery in Sesser, IL.
Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is in charge of arrangements.
For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
BUCKNER – Roy D. Barnhart, 62, died Thursday, July 11, 2013, in St. Louis University Hospital.
Roy was a truck driver by occupation and served in the U.S. Marines.
He was born Aug. 18, 1950 to James Joseph Barnhart and Marion (Coan) Coleman. His parents preceded him in death.
He was also preceded in death by his stepfather, Otis Coleman.
He was married to Sue (Butterfield) Barnhart and she survives of Buckner.
Other survivors include children, Justin Barnhart of Buckner, Tammy Miller of Buckner, Eric Barnhart of Oglesby, Jody Barnhart of Ina, and Roy Dale Barnhart Jr. of Buckner; 11 grandchildren; brothers and sisters, James Barnhart of Valier, Tony Barnhart of Pittsburg, Tina Claahan of LaSalle, Kelly Coleman of Valier, Shawn Coleman of LaSalle, Holly McLaughlin of LaSalle, and Sherry Hill Pheonix, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Daniel Barnhart.
Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, at Valier First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Frank Senter officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the church.
Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements.
For more information, visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.
Staff Report
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department released more information this morning regarding a fatal crash Wednesday night that took place on Route 14 east of Benton.
According to the report Lavern F. Johnson, 50, of McLeansboro, was killed at 9:15 p.m. when he struck a tractor pulling a bean drill and traveling west on Route 14 a short distance from North Thompsonville Road. The tractor was being operated by Steven S. Browning, 47, of Benton and according to the police report was taking up all the westbound lane and protruding into the eastbound lane. Johnson, who was traveling eastbound, was driving a 1998 Mercury Sable and died on impact, according to Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler.
At 9:26 p.m. a second vehicle being driven by Mary Stich, 71, of Dahlgren, Illinois, struck the implement. Stich received major injuries and had to be extricated from the vehicle by the Ewing-Northern Fire Department. Stich was airlifted from the scene by Air-Evac and taken to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville with major injuries. She is listed in critical condition.
A third person was also injured in the crash according to authorities. Kurtis T. Hunter, 49, of Johnston City, had stopped after the first crash and was out of his vehicle calling 911 when he was struck by the vehicle driven by Stich after she hit the implement. Hunter received injuries to his legs and was transported to Franklin Hospital by Abbott’s EMS. He was treated and released.
Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones said a reconstruction team is working on putting details of the crash together. He also said that citations are pending. State police also assisted with the accident which closed Route 14 for approximately four hours.
James “Gib” Phillips, 81, of Benton passed away Wednesday morning July 10, 2013 in Benton.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 13 at the First Christian Church in Benton with the Rev. Bill A. Carter officiating. Burial with military rites will be conducted by Benton American Legion and VFW posts and National Guard Honor Team at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.
Visitation will be in Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 10 a.m. on Saturday at the First Christian Church in Benton.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Phillips’ memory may be made to the First Christian Church Building Fun or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
By Tom Weber
Saluki Media Services
With Saluki fans hungry for any kind of tidbits about next year’s men’s basketball team, here’s a quick scouting report on the nine newcomers, based on observations from 90 minutes of practice time during the past week.
Mike Balogun: Good 3-point stroke, athletic, competitive
Marcus Fillyaw: Sees the court well, good passer, doesn’t look to score
Hunter Gibson: Solid build, spot-up shooter, hairline makes him look older than 22
KC Goodwin: Quickest player on the team, rail-thin, unorthodox jumper
Sean O’Brien: Inside and outside threat, good feel for the game, potential All-Freshman team
Bola Olaniyan: Raw but powerful, not a leaper, good long-term potential
Tyler Smithpeters: Great feel for the game, 3-point shooter, skinny
Bronson Verhines: Does a little bit of everything well, limited by his lack of size and strength
Dawson Verhines: More muscular than his brother, competitive, knows the game
It’s much too early to draw conclusions, but fun to speculate. O’Brien looks like the cream of the crop among the new players and could be a candidate for the All-Freshman team. He already demonstrates the best post-up moves on the team, and at 6-foot-6 and 195 pounds, is technically a guard. Balogun is the most athletic of the newcomers. Given time and continued development, there’s a chance freshmen Olaniyan, Smithpeters and Goodwin could become solid MVC players during the course of their careers.
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Questions abound with this team. Who will take over at point guard? How will the team offset its lack of size? How much improvement will young veterans like Anthony Beane and Jalen Pendleton make? Can injury-prone Davante Drinkard and Josh Swan stay healthy? Desmar Jackson is one of the most gifted players in the MVC, but will that translate into an All-Conference-type season?
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My first impression at practice was that this is not an “airport” team. Of course, Southern has never been an airport team that flaunts its 7-footers. The tallest starter in the past 12 years was 6-foot-9 Brad Korn. The Salukis have made up for it in the past with muscular, athletic kids, though this year’s team has only two players who weigh more than 200 pounds (Drinkard and Olaniyan).
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The non-conference schedule is almost complete. A few dates are still tentative, but the home schedule will feature Saint Louis, Western Kentucky, Ball State and SIUE. The road slate includes Missouri, Austin Peay, Chicago State, Murray State and Miami University. The Salukis will play in an eight-team tournament at a neutral site in Florida right before Thanksgiving. The entire field will consist of mid-majors.
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Some football roster notes…kicker Jackson MacLachlan, cornerback Tay Griffin and fullback PJ Ellis will not return for the 2013 season. MacLachlan kicked in three games last year before losing his starting job to Austin Johnson. He will be best remembered for kicking the game-winning field goal in a 20-18 win over Missouri State in 2011.
The start of training camp is just 25 days away. The Salukis will lace ‘em up for the first practice on Sunday, Aug. 4.
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With Saluki Athletics celebrating 100 Years of Saluki Football and Basketball, an exciting opportunity for you to participate will begin in about two weeks, as fans will get to vote on the All-Century team. The Football team will consist of 50 players with fans voting on-line at SIUSalukis.com.
