Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
STAFF REPORT
Modern Woodmen of America Junior Club 2966-1 presented a matching fund check to Sesser Fire Fighters to purchase
Class A uniforms. The remaining balance needed to purchase uniforms was donated by Jason Ashmore, friend of the
Sesser Fire Department.
By BRUCE A. FASOL
Marion police have confirmed that a West Frankfort man was arrested on drug charges in Williamson County.
According to a list of recent arrestees from Chief John Eibeck’s office, 40-year-old Dennis Bowen was arrested Dec. 23rd.
Marion Kroger pharmacy employees are believed to have called Marion Police to report Bowen attempting to buy a methamphetamine precursor without a prescription. He was arrested and taken to the Williamson County Jail.
Eibeck told FranklinCounty-News.com that he is currently out of the city, and could provide no immediate details.
By BRUCE A. FASOL
West Frankfort Police Chief Jeff Tharp has announced that one arrest has been made in a theft from an industrial business, and authorities are seeking a second suspect.
Ronald Pulliam
The thefts were reported in mid-December from Coal Age Industrial, located in the Industrial Park, west of the West Frankfort. At that time, police began surveillance of the business, and video evidence was collected at the scene from security cameras.
On Jan. 3, West Frankfort Police arrested 24-year-old Ronald R. Pulliam of Johnston City. He was charged with theft over $500.
Steven Pulliam
Pulliam is accused of stealing large fabricated pieces of metal, which investigators believe he resold. Coal Age Industrial told investigators that since the thefts began, they have lost $30,000 in metal products.
Tharp said an arrest warrant has been issued for Steven Pulliam, 22, of Johnston City, as well. He is the brother of Ronald Pulliam Jr. More arrests could be forthcoming, according to WFPD.
By BRUCE A. FASOL
Franklin County State’s Attorney Evan Owens has confirmed to FranklinCounty-News.com that an arrest has been made in a New Year’s Eve fire that was allegedly intentionally set.
STAFF REPORT
Rend Lake College’s spring semester starts Jan. 14, and college officials are making it easy for students to enroll.
Not through Jan. 11, prospective students can take advantage of the college’s walk-in period at the Academic Advisement Center, located in the Administration Building.
Walk-in hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jan. 4 and 11, and extended hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Jan. 7-10. The college’s phone number is 618-437-5321.
Zeigler Fire Department members participate in engine company training this week.
By BRUCE A. FASOL
The first Wednesday of 2013 found 10 members of the Zeigler Fire Department doing what they normally do: training. Wednesday evenings are training sessions for Chief David Greer’s department. This training is for both veteran firefighters and those in training to become a firefighter. These are relatively new training rules implemented for that department.
A person undergoing training to become a member of the Zeigler Fire Department must complete a two-year training program to move from “firefighter candidate” to actual firefighter. This goes above and beyond the lack of mandatory state regulations covering training for certification.
The Zeigler Fire Department studies a different aspect of training each Wednesday evening. Some sessions may cover equipment, regulations, and of course procedural situations. The actual scene procedural training is done with full “bunker gear” worn by fire crews to more closely replicate real-life situations. Captain Ron Duigood handles the training tasks as the designated officer in that department.
The Zeigler Fire Dept. responded to more than 320 calls in calendar year 2012.
STAFF REPORT
Rend Lake College administrators, faculty and staff would like to congratulate the 375 students who made the President’s List and Vice Presidents’ List for academic achievement in the Fall 2012 semester.
“There are more 4.0 students on the President’s List this fall than each of the last two fall semesters,” said RLC President Terry Wilkerson. “Staying on task and maintaining that level of GPA is not easy. These students and their instructors should be very proud of this achievement. I encourage all of our honors students to keep up the good work, and I challenge all of Rend Lake’s students to work hard and make sure their names are somewhere on these lists when they come out next at the end of the spring semester.”
President’s List
The following 155 students earned a spot on the President’s List for achieving a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average in the Fall 2012 semester:
Benton: Gabriel Cheyenne Bartok, Caitlin Elizabeth Bell, Catherine J Biggs, Alison M. Blair, Ryan P. Boner, Taylor Elizabeth Davie, Michaela L.Dollins, Trevor John Gipson, Mike Lee Hetisimer, Sarah Joplin, Katie Elizabeth Kiesow, Sierra D. Kind, Sydney Marie Morris, Karen Kay Powell, Peyton Denise Robbins, Michael Paul Skouby, and Molly E.Whaley
Bluford: Luke D. Breeze
Bonnie: Cory Lee Breeze, Trey Garrett Hall, Kyle T. Helmuth, and Tiffanie A. Seidel
Breese: Austin Charles Timmermann
Buckner: Rheanna D. Grizzell
Cambria: Ashleigh Danielle Stucker
Campbell Hill: Jesse Dale Smith and Dennis Allen Froemling
Carbondale: Jera L. Engel
Carlyle: John Robert Hampel
Carterville: Natasha Rhae Sparks
Christopher: Amanda Jo Arondelli, Amber Kay Faught, Lindsey Nicole Furlow, Lori Marie Kenniker, and Laura Maria Saxton
Coello: Tyler Scot Dennison and Joseph Nicholas Shaw
Coulterville: Alyscia Cherie Hassebrock, David Bradley Sprehe
Dahlgren: Daniel J Karcher and Jenna Lee Wellen
Damiansville: Blake Andrew Rakers
Dix: Monica Lynn Burney and Aarin Mariah Jeffers
DuBois: Kelsey Elaine Chapman and Melissa Fay Pearson
DuQuoin: Quinton R. Mathis
Elkville: Jaime J. Miller
Emden: Jason Carl O’Brien
Energy: David K. James
Enfield: Christine Renee South
Fairfield: Nolan Patrick Taylor
Farina: Michael G.Willis
Harrisburg: Megan A. Wren
Herrin: Jennifer Kathleen Mezo
Hoyleton: Donovan Lee Holle
Hurst: Corey A. Hacker and Jesse O. Hacker
Ina: Abbie L. Lehman
Iuka: Daniel Gene Qualls Jr.
Johnsonville: Samuel Christian Sorensen
Johnston City: Ashley Nicole Cobb, Jeannie Melisa Gibbs and Johanna Greiner
Jonesboro: Jordan Tyler Palmer and Brady Nathaniel Wright
McLeansboro: Elizabeth L. Dykstra, Colton Richard Flannigan, Krystal Dawn Knight, and Emily Miller
Macedonia: Jamey Edward Hicks
Metropolis: Victoria Frances Brown
Mount Vernon: Samuel Clay Buffington, Malinda S. Burton, Dakota Dawne Cross, Paula Dean Dodillet, Lexi Renae Donoho, Calen Matthew Durham, Shannon Blair Elsea, Tessa Charlene England, Tyler Jordan Flota, Lynne Page French, Scott Garrett, Gabriel P. Habtemariam, Brenae A. Hallam, Alyson Denae Hampton, Cody Lee Hawkins, Jared R. Hayes, Christine Renee Hood, David Paul Jeter, Casey L. Johnson, Juanita Rosetta Fay Jones, Brenda Diane King, Brandi Jo Lawrence, Craig Michael Lawrence, Joice Linette Lawrence, Luke D. Lemay, Joann Mathis, Emily Elizabeth Mayo, Micah Breann McGovern, Natalie D. Meador, Christopher Edward Miles, Cheyenne L. Morgan, Mallory Elizabeth Owens, Joshua M. Panzier, Allison Nicole Reed, Erica Cornelia Renich, Casey Rae Revelle, Kelly Joanne Schwaner, Christopher Robert White, Heather Nichole Williams, Kelly Ann Williams, Kelly Shea Williams, Christy Lynn Wilson, Richard S. Wilson,
Mulkeytown: Timothy J. Witcher
Murphysboro: Michael Dale Ramsey
Nashville: Jennifer Len Moeller
Opdyke: Sierra Beth Harrell and Elizabeth Mae Price
Pinckneyville: Jamie Marie Bathon, Melia Nicole Bathon, Taylor L. Beninati, Christina Lynn Braun, Mary Katelyn Brewer, Ryan John Kane Chapman, Jonathon James Kurwicki, Jami Elizabeth Schandl, Lindsey Renee Winter, and Luke Dallas Zeidler
Royalton: Jace Steven Poskevich and Chandra Noelle Weddle
Salem: Melinda Veller
Scheller: Hannah Marie Herzing
Sesser: Bobbie Jo Bauman, Alan J. Delbene, and Sandra Elaine Smith
Tamaroa: Charlotte Roslyn Loquasto
Thompsonville: Laura C. Alverth, Rhonda Lucille Harris, and Raven Levine
Valier: Krystal Marie Girten
Waltonville: James Alan Burris, Samantha Dawn Graziani, and Kristi Lynne Rapp
Wayne City: Mark Allen Feather and Haden Earl Smith
West Frankfort: Amanda Richelle Levine
Whittington: Andrew Thomas Neal
Woodlawn: Kasey Nicole Turner and Bronson Lyle Verhines
Xenia: Rachel Faith Bennett
Zeigler: Bailey Battaglia, Jesse Kays and Shane Aaron Smith
Vice Presidents’ List
The following 220 students earned a spot on the Vice Presidents’ List for achieving a Grade Point Average of 3.5 to 3.9 in the Fall 2012 semester:
Ashley: Andrew Michael Dreas
Anna: Kyle Leon Bunch and Cassie Jane Newberry
Belle Rive: Victor Clay Rapp and Melissa Marie Ritchey
Benton: Jeffery A. Clark, Lucas Daniel Erwin, Curtis Galloway, Alexander J. Heathcoat, Anthony Michael Heathcoat, Vanessa Elaine Lawrence, Matthew H. McIntosh, Jami Brooke Overturf, Theresa K. Parker, Beverly Ann Phillips, Sean Michael Stewart, Megan P. Thomas, Kandus M. Thompson, Seth E. Tremblay, Travis Scott Waninger, and Jeremy George Watkins
Bluford: Jesse Lee Krutsinger, Brandyn Edward Petersen, Miranda Lynn Shafer, Frank Brian Vahl, and Tanner Levi White
Bonnie: Alicia Mae Adams, Bria Nicole Allen, Kelsey Marie Allen, Melanie Elizabeth Burke, Kimberly Sue Davis, Christopher Lynn Edwards, Carolyn Sue Overturf, Benjamin Bruce Payne, and Tina Jon Welch
Breese: Aaron Paul Timmermann
Carbondale: Tara Lynn Castillo and Jake D. Thomas
Carlyle: Jacob Beckmann
Chester: Gregory Allen Rowold
Christopher: Ellis Dale Akers, Vickie S. Gunter, Benjamin Alan Kenniker, JoAnn Elizabeth North, Tyler Edward Rueter, and Racheal Lynn Smith
Cisne: Cody A. Manahan
Coulterville: Brandon Michael Godt and Danetta Sue Greer
Creal Springs: Brandon M. Hutchins
Dahlgren: Challis Jordan Flannigan, Joshua Cole Henry, Anna Elaine Moreton, Emma Louise Moreton, Adam Ray Rubenacker, Aaron Miller Trotter, Sara Beth Veatch, and Stacy Lynn Webb
Dix: Devin Joseph Riley
DuBois: Karen Nehrkorn
DuQuoin: Chaz Bland and Drew Thomas Johnson
Eldorado: Carmen Lynn Broadway
Ewing: Amy Marie Ferando and Ashley Dawn Spetter
Ina: Kendyl Marie Ahrens, Wesley William Bradshaw, Fallon Brooke Clayton, Emily Jane Cripps, Francis Dreslinski, Macy A. Friese, Kyle R. Hartwick, Jacob C. Hickey, Michael J. Jackson, Regina LaShawn Yvonne Mcclarn, Haley Marie Miller, Henry Tabor, Taylor Nicole Thomas, Gary Lee Walliser, David Edward Williams, and Erica Terese Wilson,
Herrin: Heather Nicole Kjellesvik
Iuka: Alexandrea M. Webster
Johnston City: Brett Reed Anderson
Kell: Eric N. Saatkamp
Marion: Zachary S. Farner, Sarah Anne Kessel, Bryan Andrew Marchal, and Elizabeth Louisa Oliphant
Mascoutah: Nathan R. Brand
McLeansboro: Henry John Dykstra, Patrick William Flannigan, Desta C. French, Ashley Lauren Griesemer, Michelle Nicole Kennedy, Kelsi Mae Krajniak, Marlene Mezo, Justin Scott Milligan, and Amanda Fay Owen,
Macedonia: Tina Marie Casillas and Jessica Lee Young
Mount Vernon: Nicole Mary Appleby, Brenda Kathleen Beel, Lakenzie Kathryn Blankenship, Darius Jamon Box, Stacey Lynne Bush, Andrew Lee Chambliss, John Michael Davis, Blake Ryan Deaton, Brian T. Deaton, Jacob A. Dial, Macey Le’Gae Ellis, Monty Carl Ellis, William Ryan Gibson, Donald Robert Hayes, Dylan Kristopher Hayes, Corey Daniel House, Lisa Isett, Charlton Ann Johnson, Bruce Jones, Mackenzie Ross Korris, Jennifer Nicole Laughlin, Kyle Wayne Lonas, Kamille Lynne Masters, Dena Elaine McCowen, Gabriel William Mckay, Ashley Renee Meritt, Christopher Allen Milburn, Brooke Alexandria Moore, Thomas Christopher Murphy, Joshua Michael Myers, Remington Levi Payne, Kristina Michelle Perkins, Dylan Thomas Rightnowar, Danielle Renea Roberts, Daniel Lee Robinson, Olivia Danielle Sledge, Taylor Paige Stockman, Tonya Jean Stutts, Tara Leigh Swan, Megan Danielle Whisler, and Zane Xanders
Mulkeytown: Ryan Scott Dawson, Kaylan Matthew Grove, Dallas Edward Lefler, Clarissa Allie Mayer, Karley Alynn McDaniel, Ashleigh Lynnelle Opp, Justin Tyler Roule, Stephanie Kalyn Twitty, and John Bryant Vercellino
Norris City: Justin Ramsey Johnson and Levi Christopher Marsh
Opdyke: Christina E. McLaughlin, Nicole Marie Meeks and Morgahn D. Zedalis
Plainfield: Elijah Burk
Pinckneyville: Jessica Nicole Bruns, Steven T. Campbell, Taylor Lynn Cheek, Charles E. Guffey, Kristina Annette Jeffers, Neil Albert Kellerman, Taylor Marie Kringer, Bethany D. McConnell, Taylor Dean Pyatt, Hunter David Queen, Bryant Gregory Shute, and Shelby M. Taylor
Raleigh: Hillary Nichole Shires
Royalton: Matt M. Battaglia, Christian Nathaniel Belt, Katie Marie Brown, Rob E. Gaddis, Scott Aaron Oeltjen, and Daniel L. Tolley
Salem: Robert Leon Hicks and Melanie T. Kalb
Scheller: Rebekah P. Kash, Caitlin Elizabeth Wisniewski and Katrina Ann-Marie Zettler
Sesser: Neone Francess Blake, Timothy Joseph Eubanks and Rebecca S. Key, Dawn Renee McClellan, Kelsey Danielle Szczeblewski and Emily M. Wells
Sims: Travis Eugene Thomason, Morgan Elysse Weber and Megan Marie Withrow
Steeleville: Keith William Hamilton
Tamaroa: Ashley Ann Attwood, Kyle Shane Creekpaum, Brianna Michele Gauch, Justin Brett Hale, Kelly Nicole Kuberski, and Adam Carl Valentine
Texico: Tami Jo Donley and Emily Hoffman
Thompsonville: Mandriell Dawn Sylvester and Esther Faith Wysong
Valier: Jacob L. Waters
Waltonville: Mindy Dawn Gauger, Kelsey Marie Lietz, Bobbi Marie Massie, and Luke Martin Stanhouse
West Frankfort: Nichole Barton, James Featherstone, Jennifer Marie Hawkins, Ethan Alan Poe and William Leon Thompson
Whittington: Katherine Maria Bozovich
Woodlawn: Blake Robert Kiselewski, Donna K. Krahn, Brecca Rae Mullinax, Kayoko Pruett and Jessica Nicole Welch
Xenia: Amy Lynn Carpenter
Zeigler: Taylor Danielle McPhail and Kaci Jo Stubblefield
By JOHN D. HOMAN, Logan Media Services
The John A. Logan College Foundation will host its 37th Annual Italian Dinner fundraiser from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23 in the college cafeteria.
The dinner includes spaghetti, salad, garlic bread sticks, cookies and a soft drink at a cost of $8 for adults or $3 for children 10 and under. The price for JALC students is $5. Carryouts will be available. Advance tickets are also available at the Foundation office (B33) or by calling the college at 985-2828, X8355.
Monies raised from the dinner benefit the Foundation, which provides scholarships for students.
As an added bonus, the Logan women’s and men’s basketball teams will play host to Lewis & Clark College. As it is “Carterville Night,” the high school band, cheerleaders and poms are scheduled to perform.
“We are looking forward to this year’s dinner,” said JALC Foundation Executive Director Staci Bynum. “While it is a fundraiser for scholarships, it is also a great opportunity for our board of directors to meet with Foundation supporters. We really enjoy talking with people in the community who are as interested in seeing John A. Logan College students succeed.”
Bynum said about 400 meals are served each year at the fundraiser.
“And we hope to see that number grow,” she said. “We hope folks will dine in and then go upstairs to watch the games – make an evening of it.”
JALC President, Dr. Mike Dreith said he is looking forward to the dinner.
“I understand this is a wonderful tradition for the college,” he said. “My wife (Carol) will attest that I am a huge fan of Italian food and so can my waistline. The funds are important, but not as important as the camaraderie within the campus community and the communities we serve.”
Bynum said the fundraiser wouldn’t happen without the support of the college’s extended family, student ambassadors and Foundation board members.
“We really do have a great group of people supporting the Foundation and we are grateful for them all,” she said.
STAFF REPORT
The 14-4 West Frankfort 8th grade girls basketball team will be celebrated with a ceremony Thursday before their home game against rival Benton. The games start at 5:30 p.m. at the Central Junior High School gymnasium.
Before the game, there will be a Fazoli’s spaghetti dinner in the school cafeteria.
The meal will be served from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and includes pasta with meat sauce, a small salad, a drink and two breadsticks. The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children.
Take-out meals will also be available.
Blue Ridge Tractor will sell and service Dressta North America construction equipment.
STAFF REPORT
Blue Ridge Tractor has bought seven acres of property from the Benton West City Economic Development Corporation to build a dealership that will sell and service Dressta North American construction equipment.
Retiring EDC Director Steve Woodfin, new Director Dave Cooper and Board Chairman John Huffman announced the deal this week.
Blue Ridge Tractor is the new Dressta dealer fro the southern half of Illinois and western Kentucky.
The seven acres bought by the dealership are part of a 34-acre tract of land owned by the EDC. EDC officials say the tract will give Blue Ridge Tractor interstate visibility, and hopefully will be the start of other commercial and retail development along I-57 and the airport.
Blue Ridge Tractor will build a storefront to display new machines, as well as provide machinery sales, parts sales and light service work at the site.
Benton Mayor Gary Kraft called news of the new business “very encouraging.”
“It is a great opportunity for more growth and development,” said West City Mayor Charles Cockrum. “Glad to see it happen.”
Blue Ridge Tractor General Manager Alex Gibbs said the company is eager to begin construction at the site.
