Sonic Coming to Benton

January 11, 2018 By Leave a Comment

BENTON – “I’m excited to announce that we have a real-estate sales contract in our possession,” said Benton Finance Commissioner Dennis Miller at last Monday’s Benton City Council Meeting.

“This is for the sale of the old City Hall. This sale was executed on January 2, and we have an agreed purchase price of $176,000 and this is being purchased by S.A. Dewitt L.P. also known as Sonic, so we are in the process of working on the title work.” The building had previously been offered at public auction at a price of $296,000.

Miller made a motion to approve the sales contract which was approved by a unanimous 5-0 vote.
Please click on the link for the full story from the Benton Gazette.
Here is more information from WISH 98.9-FM
Filed Under: Benton News, Breaking News, Featured, Franklin Co. News

Route 149 will be closed between West Frankfort and Zeigler later this month

January 11, 2018 By Leave a Comment

CARBONDALE – The Illinois Department of Transportation would like to alert motorists traveling on Illinois 149 in West Frankfort, Illinois in Franklin County of an upcoming ROAD CLOSURE.

Beginning Monday, January 29, 2018 at 8:00 A.M., IL 149 approximately 2.0 miles west of the I-57, Exit 65 interchange in West Frankfort will be closed.  The closure will be on IL 149 between Jackanicz Road and Deason Road. This closure is necessary to facilitate the repair of a drainage structure.  The road is expected to be open by 5:00 P. M. on Friday, February 9, 2018.

Motorists should use the marked detour or seek an alternate route.

Message boards and signs will be in place to alert traffic of the closure.

For IDOT District 9 updates on twitter, follow us at https://twitter.com/IDOTDistrict9.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Bost, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Perdue Discuss Veterans’ Employment

January 11, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) met with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to discuss efforts to transition military veterans into the agricultural workforce. Bost, a member of both the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the House Committee on Agriculture, was accompanied by a bipartisan group for the Capitol Hill meeting.

Rep. Bost with Secretary Perdue (photo provided)

“There’s no more dedicated workforce in the entire world than our returning military men and women,” said Bost. “We’ve got a huge shortfall in the agricultural workforce, and we have veterans leaving military service looking for employment. I discussed with Secretary Perdue ways to kill two birds with one stone, offering our heroes a new career path while helping farmers and ranchers fill jobs and expand their operations. I think we’re on the same page here and I look forward to turning these discussions into further legislative action.”

Background:

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), nearly 45 percent of veterans come from rural America.  Over the next 20 years, it is projected that our nation will need 700,000 new agricultural workers.

Last year, Rep. Bost introduced H.R. 4339, the Veterans’ Agricultural Apprenticeship Act, which instructs the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to work with state departments of agriculture to identify farmers and ranchers eligible for a direct loan to train apprentice veterans in their industry.  Veterans would receive direct, on-the-job training and, in return, farmers and ranchers would get help with their operations with little cost to them.  The loan would be paid back to the USDA after the harvest season.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, National News

Walmart to Raise U.S. Wages, Provide One-Time Bonus and Expand Hourly Maternity and Parental Leave

January 11, 2018 By Leave a Comment

More than 1 million associates benefit from combined wage and benefit changes

BENTONVILLE, Ark. –  – Today, Walmart announced plans to increase the starting wage rate for all hourly associates in the U.S. to $11, expand maternity and parental leave benefits and provide a one-time cash bonus for eligible associates of up to $1,000. The company is also creating a new benefit to assist associates with adoption expenses. The combined wage and benefit changes will benefit the company’s more than one million U.S. hourly associates.

“Today, we are building on investments we’ve been making in associates, in their wages and skills development,” said Doug McMillon, Walmart president and CEO. “It’s our people who make the difference and we appreciate how they work hard to make every day easier for busy families.”

He added, “We are early in the stages of assessing the opportunities tax reform creates for us to invest in our customers and associates and to further strengthen our business, all of which should benefit our shareholders. However, some guiding themes are clear and consistent with how we’ve been investing — lower prices for customers, better wages and training for associates and investments in the future of our company, including in technology. Tax reform gives us the opportunity to be more competitive globally and to accelerate plans for the U.S.”

This increase in wages to associates will take effect in February and will be approximately $300 million incremental to what was already included in next fiscal year’s plan. The one-time bonus represents an additional payment to associates of approximately $400 million in the current fiscal year, which ends Jan. 31, 2018.

While the new law will create some financial benefit for the company, Walmart is early in the process of assessing potential additional investments. That assessment will be done not only through the lens of associates, customers and shareholders, but also within Walmart’s financial framework of strong, efficient growth, consistent operating discipline and strategic capital allocation. Further details will be shared, as appropriate, when the company releases quarterly results Feb. 20, 2018.

Associates will hear more from their managers in the coming days about details.

But, broadly, associates in the U.S. will share in tax savings through:

  • A one-time bonus benefiting all eligible full and part-time hourly associates in the U.S. The amount of the bonus will be based on length of service, with associates with at least 20 years qualifying for $1,000. A discrete one-time charge will be taken in the fourth quarter of the current year to account for the bonus; qualification will be determined before the end of the month and payments will be paid as quickly as practical thereafter.
  • An increase in Walmart’s starting wage rate to $11 an hour, effective in the Feb. 17, 2018, pay cycle. The change is in addition to wage increases already planned for many U.S. markets in the coming fiscal year. The increase applies to all hourly associates in the U.S., including stores, Sam’s Clubs, eCommerce, logistics and Home Office.
  • An expanded parental and maternity leave policy, providing full-time hourly associates in the U.S. with 10 weeks of paid maternity leave and six weeks of paid parental leave. Salaried associates will also receive six weeks of paid parental leave.
  • Walmart will provide financial assistance to associates adopting a child. The adoption benefit, available to both full-time hourly and salaried associates, will total $5,000 per child and may be used for expenses such as adoption agency fees, translation fees and legal or court costs.
Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, National News

Bring home bacon with Community Ed cooking classes

January 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment

By Reece Rutland 

INA, IL  – Spice up your life with a trifecta of culinary class offerings through Rend Lake College’s Community and Corporate Education Department.

Looking for a creative Valentine’s Day date? Cooking for Couples offers a unique night out for couples seeking a little experience in the kitchen. Taking place from 4:30-9:30 on Friday, Feb. 9 in Student Center, room 103 on the Main Campus in Ina. Participants will learn how to work together in the kitchen and will enjoy a delicious dinner for two at the end of class. The class is open to participants 20 years of age and older. The cost of the class is $25 per student, plus an additional $25 for supplies per student.

Cake Decorating for Kids is a class offered for children ages 8-14. Participants will learn the art of cake decorating, mastering skills like leveling a cake, icing the cake and using tips and bags to make springtime decorations. Participants will need to bring a baked cake (8” round or 8” square) with them to class. The class will take place from 6-8 p.m. on March 6 at the Ina campus, Student Center, room 103. The bags, tips, icing and coloring will be provided by the instruction for a small fee. Cost of the class is $10, plus an additional $10 for the cost of supplies.

Master the basics of how to grow your own herbs in garden beds and containers with Growing, Preserving and Cooking with Herbs.Learn how to identify, harvest and preserve fresh herbs. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss the classifications of culinary herbs as either robust or fine (mild) herbs. Extend your culinary experience by interacting with the RLC Chef, Jeff Fairbanks, as he demonstrates dishes being prepared using fresh and dried herbs that are local to Southern Illinois. The class will take place from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 25 on Main Campus, Student Center, room 103. Cost of the class will be $15 plus a $5 supply fee.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Glo Bingo event returning to RLC

January 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment

By ReAnne Palmer 

INA, IL – Back by popular demand, Rend Lake College and the RLC Foundation are hosting a second Glo Bingo event to continue raising money for updates in the Learning Resource Center (LRC). Locals are invited to play at 6 p.m. Friday, March 9 at the RLC Rec, located on the Ina campus.

When doors open at 5:30 p.m., Glo Bingo tickets will cost $25, which includes six bingo cards, a glow hat, and a glow dabber. Additional bingo cards are available for purchase for $5 per six cards. Attendees who purchase tickets early can do so for a discounted rate of $20.

Competitors will have the chance to win over $1,000 in cash prizes. Additionally, there will be a 50/50 raffle, silent auction, and early bird and middle bird raffle game cards available at the door. Concessions will also be sold by the RLC Baseball team throughout the evening.

Seats for the event are limited. Glo Bingo participants must be over the age of 18. No outside food or beverages are allowed.
For more information or to purchase advance tickets, contact the LRC at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1308. For groups interested in participating, tables can be reserved by calling ahead for advance ticket purchases

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Rend Lake College Board of Trustees — Jan. 9, 2018, Meeting Highlights

January 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment

PoolPak bid accepted

The board accepted the low bid of $198,700 from Rend Lake Plumbing and Heating (Bonnie) to replace the PoolPak unit at the Rend Lake College Aquatics Center, pending approval of the RLC Foundation Board of Directors on Feb. 6, 2018. The existing PoolPak is original to the building and has exceeded its operational life expectancy. The RLC Foundation has agreed to fund the project.

Sveda-Webb, Waldman moving on

The board accepted with regret the resignations of two employees Tuesday evening.

  • Rachel Sveda-Webb, Financial Aid and Admissions Coordinator, effective Jan. 15, 2018. A former student trustee to the RLC Board, she has been with the college full-time since August 2008. “I cannot express my gratitude enough for the mentors I have had, the friends I have made, and the lessons I have learned,” Sveda-Webb wrote in her resignation letter. “I have lived in this community my entire life, and I will continue to be a fierce advocate for the college and all it does to help students have a better tomorrow than they have today.”
  • Whitney Waldman, Coordinator of the RLC MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon, effective Jan. 5, 2018. She had been with the college full-time since September 2013. “The past four years have been very rewarding. I’ve enjoyed working for you and contributing to the best community college in the nation,” Waldman wrote in her resignation letter. “This institution has grown me professionally and personally in ways that I am forever grateful and thankful for.”

Accreditation update

The board heard a report on the college’s reaffirmation of accreditation activities. The college is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is due for an evaluation by the HLC in September 2018. The HLC co-coordinators met last month to review the status of the assurance argument, which is designed to prove the college meets HLC five Criteria of Accreditation, and to prioritize sections for additional writing and research.

In other business, the board …

  • Ratified payment of college expenses including travel reimbursements.
  • Approved revisions to board procedure concerning stipends.
  • Authorized destruction of closed session tapes after having been held for 18 months, in accordance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The board also approved not releasing closed session minutes from the January 2016 through June 2016 meetings as provided by IOMA.
  • Approved creation of policy and procedure concerning the review and publication of Student Right to Know information, campus security disclosures, student policies and recruitment materials.
  • Approved the 2017-2018 Family Handbook for the RLC Foundation Children’s Center.

Mark your calendars …

  • Visiting Artist: Erica Burton, Jan. 15-March 2, Theatre lobby.
  • Thespian Comedy Improv, 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, Theatre.
  • WYSE 2018 Competition, Wednesday, Feb. 7, Waugh Gymnasium.
  • Faculty / Staff In-Service, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, RLC campus.
  • RLC Basketball Homecoming Games vs. Lincoln Trail College, women’s game at 5:30 p.m., men’s game at 7:30 p.m.; Waugh Gymnasium.
  • Career Fair, Friday, March 2, RLC Campus.
  • Spoken Word and Open Mic Night, 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 5, King City Books, Mt. Vernon.
  • Kickstart Your Journey, Thursday-Friday, March 22-23, RLC campus.
  • Spring Musical: The Addams Family, 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 5-7, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 8, RLC Theatre.
  • Higher Learning Commission Annual Conference, Thursday-Monday, April 5-9, Hyatt Regency Chicago.
  • Job Search Party, 3-6 p.m. Thursday, April 12, Mt. Vernon Hotel and Event Center.
Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Devils move to 5-0 in the BDC West, defeat Goreville 64-48

January 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment

SESSER –  The Sesser-Valier Red Devils outscored their opponents 24-11 in the fourth quarter to take a nice 64-48 victory from the Goreville Blackcats.

The Devils put four players on the night in double figures as Lukas Gunter led the way with 18 points, Tyler Winchester 13, Preston Launius and Joshua Gunter had ten points each on the night for Sesser-Valier.

Braden Webb led the way for the Blackcats with 14 and Landon Albright added 10.  Post player Tanner Dunn did not play for Goreville, as he was out with the flu.

Sesser Valier improves to (10-5)(5-0) on the season and will make the short trip to Z-R Friday night, before heading into the BIT.

Goreville (11-4)(2-2) will host the Christopher Bearcats on Friday night before facing the Carbondale Terriers in the first Round of the Superman Classic.

Jared Curry is supposed to return to the Bearcat lineup of Friday night.

Link to Les Winkler’s story from The Southern Illinoisan

http://thesouthern.com/sports/high-school/basketball/boys/boys-basketball-sesser-valier-gets-past-goreville/article_e4846de1-2a3b-5932-ae3a-926ecf0335d1.html#tracking-source=home-top-stories

Link to Jack Bullock’s story from A Baseline View

http://abaselineview.com/index.html

Link to current Black Diamond Standings

http://abaselineview.com/abvstandings.html

 

Filed Under: Featured, High School Sports, Sesser News, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Sports, Valier News

Carterville Police arrest man with assault rifle, body armor and helmet

January 9, 2018 By Leave a Comment

CARTERVILLE — A Carterville man faces felony charges, after police say he walked around his apartment complex with a loaded rifle.

Around 7 a.m. Sunday morning officers were called to an apartment complex in the 700 block of Laclede Avenue, for a report that a man had a gun.

“The caller said that there was a man walking around the apartment complex wearing body armor and armed with what he believed was an AR-15,” said Carterville Police Chief Heather Reno.

Please click below to read the full story and video from Roni LeForge of WSIL-TV.

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37219854/carterville-police-arrest-man-with-assault-rifle-body-armor-and-helmet

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Johnston City man arrested on a string of Mt. Vernon burglaries Friday night

January 9, 2018 By Leave a Comment

MT. VERNON – On Friday, January 5th, 2018, at 2141 hours, officers from the Mt. Vernon Police Department responded to the Dollar Tree, 4511 Broadway, for a report of an attempted burglary. Employees reported that a white male subject had entered the office area of the store and attempted to break into the safe. The offender was confronted by an employee and ran from the store.

At 2207 hours, officers responded to Time Square Liquor West, 206 South 42nd Street, for a report of an attempted armed robbery where a handgun was displayed. The offender, who matched the description of the offender from the Dollar Tree attempted burglary, fled the scene without taking anything from the store.

Callie Buchannan

At 2223 hours, officers responded to the Wal-mart Supercenter, 110 Davidson Drive. An employee of the Dollar Tree reported seeing the offender from their attempted burglary at the Wal-Mart store. Officers responded to Wal-mart and made contact with the suspect, 26-year-old Callie J.L. Buchanan of Johnston City. During the investigation, officers were able to identify Buchanan as the offender in the Attempted Burglary at the Dollar Store and offender for the Attempted Armed Robbery of Time Square Liquor. Additionally, Buchanan was found to have stolen property from the Wal-mart Store.

Detectives from the Mt. Vernon Police Department were called in to assist with the investigation. Detectives obtained a search warrant for a vehicle that Buchanan possessed and located property used during the commission of the crimes.

Buchanan has been incarcerated in the Jefferson County Justice Center on charges of Burglary, Aggravated Armed Robbery and Felony Retail Theft with bond to be set.

Buchanan is considered innocent until proven guilty in court.

Here is some surveillance video provided to WSIL-TV in which the clerk at Times Square Liquors chased Buchanan  out of the store with a knife.

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37219548/jefferson-county-cashier-chases-armed-crook-out-of-store

Filed Under: Breaking News, Featured, Franklin Co. News
« Previous Page
Next Page »
Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News