SIH Cancer Institute to offer free head, neck cancer screenings

April 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment

April 19 event held during the 16th Annual Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week

(CARBONDALE, IL) The SIH Cancer Institute will offer free screenings for head and neck cancers on Friday, April 19, 2013, at the Center for Medical Arts in Carbondale.

Oral, head and neck cancers account for about three to six-percent of all new cancer diagnoses each year, according to Paul Schalch, M.D., an ear, nose and throat specialist. Dr. Schalch and colleague, Dr. David Hohuan, will conduct the free screenings. Both specialists are members of the SIH Cancer Institute’s treatment planning team for all head and neck cancers.

Dr. Schalch says individuals who smoke and/or drink alcohol regularly, chew tobacco, have difficulty swallowing, a nagging earache or voice changes such as hoarseness are appropriate candidates for the free screening. Other suspicious symptoms include sores or tender spots in the mouth that do not heal, lip lesions, problems with teeth or dentures or a persistent lump on the neck.

Smoking is a leading indicator.

“Smoking increases the risk of cancer in the oral cavity or throat by about 15-fold,” said Dr. Schalch.

Another new risk factor is Human Papilloma Virus infection (specifically with HPV 16), a growing trend in younger patients who do not necessarily have the link between alcohol consumption and smoking, Dr. Schalch added.

Additional risk factors include industrial exposures to wood, dust, nickel and formaldehyde, among others.

“To this date, almost 50% of the cancers we diagnose are at the advanced stage. We hope to decrease this by offering more means for awareness and early detection. The earlier the stage, the better the prognosis, the easier the treatment and the less likelihood of radical surgery,” Dr. Schalch said. “This screening is quick, easy, non-invasive and it’s free.”

The free screenings locally coincide with the 16th annual national Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week.

Individuals may reserve an appointment by calling the SIH Call Center at (866) 744-2468.

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News

Story Hour returns to WF Library

April 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment

By Bruce A. Fasol

West Frankfort Public Library will resume summer Story Hours, in May, it has been announced.

Librarian Pam Sevenski tells franklincounty-news.com that on the first and third Tuesday mornings of the month, children can come to the Library for a free morning of “stories, crafts and activities”.

The story Hour is open to West Frankfort children age 3, 4 and 5 years old. Each story hour wil begin at 10am.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, West Frankfort News

Fundraiser planned in Zeigler

April 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment

By Bruce A. Fasol

The Zeigler Women’s Civic Club has a fundraiser planned for this Saturday, April 13th. They will be hosting a chicken and dumplings lunch, at the Six Mile Township Building on the Circle in Zeigler.

Food will be available from 11 a.m until 1 p.m on Saurday. The meal consists of chicken and dumplings, green beans,slaw, dessert, and drink. Cost is $12 for adults, and $3 for children under age 12. Dine in, or carry-outs will be available. Also, the chicken and dumplings may be purchased by the quart.

Proceeds from the lunch will help toward continuing the many programs in the community that are presented by the club. The Zeigler Women’s Civic Club hosts the Halloween costume contest, the Home Lighting contest, and many other events.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, More Featured Articles

Franklin County Farm Bureau News

April 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment

 By J. Larry Miller

Spring has surely arrived as warmer temperatures have caused grass and fields to have greener color. I noticed that the zoysia grass has started to come to life. Zoysia is the first grass to turn brown in the fall and the last grass to turn green in the spring.

Larry Miller, executive director Franklin County Farm Bureau

Larry Miller, executive director Franklin County Farm Bureau

Some corn has been planted in the county but most are waiting to see if heavy rain will fall into the night on Wednesday and early Thursday. Field work has been limited but if this rain passes without much accumulation work will pickup next week.

Corn and soybeans have taken a negative posture because of higher inventories and lower usage. With a lower crop in 2012, we certainly have found a ceiling on corn prices. We reached $8 corn last fall but it seems that everything now causes a downward slide in new crop prices. How low can prices go with an average crop this year? I do not know but I am betting on lower prices rather than higher and $5 corn this fall should cause farmers to lock in some corn at that price. As a matter of reality, grain prices have a lot of negative possibilities.

As grain prices plateau, there is a question of what will happen to land prices? If the sall of farmland in Perry County on Tuesday evening is any indication, it certainly is not trending lower or leveling off. The Perry County land was 156 acres of which 150 was tillable sold for $7500 per acre. If the bubble pops it will be a loud noise.

American Farm Bureau Federation sent a farm bill proposal to Capitol Hill Monday. Approved this weekend by the AFBF board of directors, the proposal offers a diverse mix of risk management and safety net tools to benefit a wide range of farms and it saves $23 billion compared to the cost of continuing the current program.

Illinoisans struggling to make mortgage payments because their income recently dropped now may find it easier to qualify for a government emergency loan program.  Beginning April 1, federal and state agencies raised the total loan assistance cap on the Illinois Hardest Hit Program from $20,000 or $25,000 per family (depending on the county) to $35,000. The program offers temporary mortgage payment assistance to families whose income has fallen at least 20 percent because of recent unemployment or underemployment. For more information www.illinoishardesthit.org is the OFFICIAL website for the Illinois Hardest Hit Fund Program.  APPLYING IS FREE.  You will not be asked to pay for any services related to this application.

Recent figures from the Center for Disease Control seem to show that our food is getting safer. For 2009-2010, the number of food borne illness outbreaks had decreased by 32% when compared to the previous five years.

We would like to remind everyone that the Franklin County Farm Bureau takes pictures and aids in filling out Firearm Owners Identification Card Applications. The new FOID Cards are good for 10 years but when applying it is taking approximately 90 days once you have sent off your application. For more information call 435-3616.

Remember we are farmers working together. If we can help let us know.

 

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, More Featured Articles, Opinion

Obituary – Imogene Gaither – Thompsonville

April 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Imogene Gaither, 85, of Thompsonville, passed away at 11:27 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at Frankfort Care Center.

She was born in Akin, IL on Nov. 19, 1927, the daughter of Eliga and Anna (Johnson) Moore.

She married John Lester Gaither on Feb. 8, 1944 and he preceded her in death on August 22, 2008.

Mrs. Gaither is survived by four daughters, Brenda Sue McCollom and husband Rich, of Benton, Dixie Lee Heifner and husband Carlton, of Benton, Debra Jean Overturf, of Christopher and Donna Darlene Garmane and husband Michael, of Thompsonville.

She is also survived by one sister, Mary Lou Johnson, of Benton and one brother, Paul Moore of Johnston City; nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Gaither was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother, Len Moore and by six sisters, Irene McLain, Madge Moore, Pearline Moore, Velma Daily, Evelene Peterson and Margie Holland.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 12 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Gilbert Evans officiating.  Burial will be in the Plasters Grove Cemetery in Thompsonville.  Visitation will be after 9 a.m. on Friday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, Obituaries

Tried every diet plan? Call Holly at American Fitness for the right plan!

April 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment

In a fast-paced world of multi-tasking, activity overload, and drive-thru meals, our society as a whole has grown more and more overweight. While diet and weight loss programs, videos, books, and supplements are a multi-million dollar industry, most offer only a temporary solution at best. Most people who lose weight on one of those programs gain it back, along with several other unwanted pounds, as soon as they go off the program.

af 1af 2If you are one of those people who have tried every diet and every exercise you can imagine, and you have a busy schedule, but need to lose some weight, then what you need is Holly Wangler! Holly is a Health Fitness Specialist from Sesser, IL. She works with clients at American Fitness in Christopher.

Holly offers a customized plan to help you get fit and lose weight the healthy way. On Holly’s plan, there are no fad diets allowed, only healthy eating and regular exercise. Although she starts the same with each client — calculating body fat percentage, and recording weight and measurements – that’s where the similarities end. When asked why she is so successful with her clients, Holly states “Everybody is different. No two people have bodies that respond the same way, so I individualize their training to meet each client’s goals.”

Holly not only helps her clients set their daily caloric goal, but also offers personal training advice to make sure they are getting the most from their daily routines. Her basic nutritional plan is ‘clean eating.’ This simply means to eat food the way nature created it. “Quality, not only quantity, of calories is important. No boxed or frozen meals.  Nothing man has had his hands on. No preservatives. Fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, eggs, nuts, etc. All the things you can grow yourself,” is the way Holly describes the ideal way to eat. She also recommends weaning yourself off diet soda, simply because it isn’t good for you.

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To really get an idea of the success possible with Holly as your trainer, we talked with one of her clients. Missy Montgomery has been a client of Holly’s since May of 2011 and has lost over 70 pounds. Hearing Missy talk about Holly seemed like someone talking about their closest personal friend. It was obvious how she feels about Holly. Missy told us how Holly offered her a personal service that was just for her, not the same canned program that she gives everyone.

The accountability of having Holly as your trainer is one of the keys to success. Missy talked about receiving text messages offering nutrition advice, recommending certain products, and even checking in regarding what she had eaten that day. She stated, “I had not been able to do this on my own in the past. It is wonderful to have Holly as a resource and accountability partner. I have grown to think of her not only as a trainer, but as a friend of mine.” She continued, “It is more about a relationship than a quick fix.”

For more information, or to contact Holly about her services, contact American Fitness at 724-4000.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, More Featured Articles, Uncategorized

RLC softball gets decisive win, close loss in split at KC | Share

April 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment

CENTRALIA, Ill. (April 9, 2013) – Rend Lake College and Kaskaskia College split in softball action Tuesday in Centralia.

The Lady Warriors won the first game 13-2 on 14 hits. Kaskaskia was held to only five hits. RLC scored five runs in the first inning, and tacked on one in the second and third, two in the fourth and four in the fifth. RLC committed one error. Kaskaskia scored one in the second and one in the fifth, and committed two errors. The winning pitcher was Taylor Thomas (Arcola) who threw all five innings. She struck out two and walked one, giving up five hits and one earned run. Hitters for The Lake: Fallon Clayton (Anna) went 2-for-3 with a RBI; Haley Miller (Rockport, Ind.) went 3-for-4; Taylor Cicardi (Pinckneyville) went 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBI; Thomas went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBI; Emily Cripps (Herrin) went 2-for-3 with two RBI; and Breanne Pelker (Nashville) went 2-for-2 with two RBI.

Taylor Cicardi (Pinckneyville), LEFT, and Taylor Thomas (Arcola) each had a home run and combined for six RBI in Rend Lake’s 13-2 win over Kaskaskia on Tuesday.

Taylor Cicardi (Pinckneyville), LEFT, and Taylor Thomas (Arcola) each had a home run and combined for six RBI in Rend Lake’s 13-2 win over Kaskaskia on Tuesday.

In the nightcap, Rend Lake was edged out 5-4 when the Blue Angels scored a run in the bottom of the seventh. RLC scored one in the third and three in the sixth on nine hits. It committed two errors. KC scored one in the first, three in the second, and won it with one in the seventh. Kaskaskia had 13 hits and did not commit and error. The losing pitcher was Amanda Holloway (Benton) who falls to 6-9. Holloway struck out four, walked none, and gave up 13 hits and four earned runs with Miller catching. Hitters for The Lake: Molly Whaley (Benton) was 2-for-3 with a RBI and Pelker had two RBI and a double.

The Lady Warriors are now 12-18 overall. It will play at Lake Land on Thursday and at Shawnee on Friday. RLC will host Wabash Valley at noon on Saturday and John A. Logan at 2 p.m., Sunday. For all things athletic at The Lake, visit RLC online at www.rlc.edu/warriors.

Filed Under: College Sports, Franklin Co. News

Obituary – Nancy Lee Creek – Royalton

April 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Nancy Lee (Stone) Creek 78, of Royalton, IL passed away on Tuesday April 9, 2013 at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Copy of Nancy Creek PicNancy was retired from DOW Chemical Company of Kankakee, IL.

She was born on July 21, 1934 in Colp, IL. She married William“Bill”Creek on March 29, 1951 in Benton and was married for 47 years.

Survivors include her children Robert Creek and wife Elizabeth of Royalton, IL, Janice Maskill and husband Kerry of Lake Dallas, TX, and Sandy Rose and Husband Mike Pearl of Royalton, IL, one sister Ruby Ottolini of Herrin, IL, Sister-in-Law Jo Ann Drysdale of Coello, IL, 11 Grandchildren, and 15 Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband William“Bill”Creek, a daughter Carol Sue Kibbons, a SonJamesAllenCreek, Father Ray Stone, Mother Opal (Swimtford) Stone McKinney, and two sisters Ruth Smith and Helen Stone.

Services will be on Thursday April 11, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. in the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL. Visitation will be on Thursday from 12:00 P.M. until the time of the service at 2:00 P.M.. Burial will be in the MulkeytownCemetery.

For more information visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, Obituaries

Ashmore elected mayor in Sesser

April 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment

By Jim Muir

Jason Ashmore, in his first run for public office, defeated longtime Sesser Mayor Ned Mitchell, garnering 61 percent of the vote.

Newly-elected Sesser mayor Jason Ashmore

Newly-elected Sesser mayor Jason Ashmore

Ashmore won by a margin of 713 to 448 with a turnout of nearly 80 percent.

Before commenting on the resounding victory Ashmore, 36, complimented Mitchell, who has served as Sesser’s top-elected official since 1979.

“First, I want to thank Mayor Mitchell for all his years of service to the city,” Ashmore said.

The newly-elected mayor then turned his attention to the voters who turned out in record numbers to vote for him.

“I want to thank the voters of Sesser who turned out to vote and placed their confidence in me,” Ashmore said. “I promise them that I will not let them down.”

Mitchell, 65, has served as Sesser’s mayor for all or parts of five decades, congratulated Ashmore and promised a smooth transition.  Mitchell said the high voter turnout shows that the residents of Sesser wanted change.

“An elected official serves at the will of the people, and I must have said 300 times during the weeks leading up to the election that if voters were not happy with the direction the city was going they could fire me … and that’s how they voted,” Mitchell said. “I am not bitter about losing, Sesser is a great community and I think we accomplished much during the past 35 years. I wish Mayor Ashmore well, he has a good council, a veteran council, to work with and to help him while he learns the ropes.”

Ashmore, an employee of IDOT, will be sworn in at the May 2 city council meeting.

“I am excited and I can’t wait to get started working for the people of Sesser,” Ashmore said.

For all area election results go to the link below:

illinois.platinumelectionresults.com

 

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, Uncategorized

Obituary – Joan Hankins – Benton

April 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Joan Hankins, 91, of Benton, passed away at 6:30 p.m. April 8, 2013 at Helia Health Care, in Benton.

She was born in Benton on January 11, 1922, the daughter of Joe and Ethel (Easley) Neal.

She married Charles E. Hankins on Sept. 25, 1944 in Rochester, Michigan, and he preceded her in death on August 28, 2006.

Mrs. Hankins worked for many years at the Franklin Hospital Skilled Care Nursing Unit. She was a member of the West City Church of God.

Mrs. Hankins is survived by two daughters, Pamela Jo Webb and husband Lane, of Benton and Brenda Lee Johns and husband Terry, of Benton.

Also surviving are grandchildren Kacie Jo Allen, of St. Louis, MO, Audrey Filkins and Shawn Loftus, of Thompsonville, Aaron Webb and wife Kristen of Maryville, IL, Nicole Jones and husband Justin, of Kentucky and Jason Johns and wife Liz, serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan; great-grandchildren Blake Filkins, Pepper K. Loftus (arriving soon), Aaden Webb, Evie Kay Webb, Sean, Lexie and Wyatt.  She is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Mary Kirk, of Benton, Louise Hammonds, of Michigan and Dorothy Bertetti, of Michigan.

Mrs. Hankins was preceded in death by her parents, her step-father Ed Kirk, her husband and by one brother Leon Kirk and five sisters, Dorothy West, Margaret Kearney, Evelyn Arro, Norma Montoya and Jessie Wilkie.

Graveside memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 14 at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton with Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating.  Friends attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorials in Mrs. Hankins memory can be made to the West City Church of God or to the Benton-West City Food Pantry.

The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, Obituaries
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