The combination of strong gusty winds, dry vegetation, and low humidity will result in an elevated fire danger today. The concern is greatest over the Missouri Ozark foothills, where humidity is forecast to reach near critical Red Flag thresholds. (NWS Paducah)

Deep low pressure will move from the Upper Midwest southeast to
the Ohio Valley region today. Strong and gusty southwest winds
will occur out ahead of an approaching cold front associated with
the low pressure system.

WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 4 PM CST
THIS AFTERNOON

The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Wind
Advisory, which is in effect from 10 AM this morning to 4 PM CST
this afternoon.

* TIMING…Highest wind gusts from mid morning through mid
afternoon.

* WINDS…From the southwest gusting to around 40 mph at times.

* IMPACTS…Driving will be more difficult for high profile
vehicles. Outdoor objects, including holiday decorations not
secure may be blown around or damaged.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A wind advisory is issued when sustained winds are expected to
reach 30 mph or greater for longer than one hour…or wind gusts
are expected to reach 40 mph for any duration.

Elevated Fire Danger Today

The combination of strong gusty winds and dry vegetation will
result in an elevated fire danger today across the Quad State
region. Relative humidity will also be quite low and may even
approach Red Flag criteria this afternoon, particularly over the
Ozark foothills of southeast Missouri.

These weather conditions along with very dry grasses and
underbrush could result in the rapid spread of fires. Burn bans
are in effect for some counties and outdoor burning is highly
discouraged across the region. Check with local authorities for
the latest on area burn bans.

Conditions should improve significantly by sunset as winds
slacken and humidity recovers.

Seven Day Forecast 

Today
Sunny, with a high near 56. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 18 to 23 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 39 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. West wind 8 to 13 mph becoming north northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph.
Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 38. North wind 3 to 7 mph.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Light and variable wind.

Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Light west wind increasing to 5 to 9 mph in the morning.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Southwest wind around 6 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 50. South southwest wind 5 to 11 mph.
Saturday Night
A chance of rain, mainly after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. South wind 6 to 8 mph.
Sunday
Rain likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. South wind 5 to 7 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Sunday Night
A slight chance of rain before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. West northwest wind 3 to 5 mph.
Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. West wind 3 to 7 mph.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. West southwest wind around 6 mph.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 51. West wind 6 to 9 mph.

Griffith joins nursing faculty

Denise Griffith was appointed Nursing Instructor effective Jan. 3. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from McKendree University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She most recently served as Director of Nursing for Shawnee Community College.

Boyd becomes Executive Assistant
Holly Boyd was appointed Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Instruction effective Jan. 16. She holds an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Business from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and most recently served as an administrative assistant at Marion High School.

CCR&R personnel moves

The board accepted with regret the resignation of Stephanie McKinney, Subsidized Child Care Specialist for Child Care Resource and Referral (Project CHILD), effective Dec. 1. She had been employed full-time since August 2000. “Thank you for everything Rend Lake College and Project CHILD have done for me. I am fortunate to have been a part of such a well-respected organization,” McKinney wrote in her resignation letter.

In a related move, the board appointed Lori Irvin as Subsidized Child Care Specialist effective Dec. 18. She holds an Associate in Science Degree from Rend Lake College and previously held this position from 1996 to 2000.

Additionally, Kaira James was appointed as License Exempt Monitor for CCRR effective Jan. 8. She holds an Associate in Science Degree from RLC and a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management from McKendree University. She most recently worked as a resource room assistant for Man-Tra-Con.

In other business, the board …

• Approved revisions to board procedure concerning student employment.
• Approved the schedule of Board of Trustees meetings for the 2018 calendar year.
• Approved the 2018-2019 RLC Catalog.
• Ratified payment of college expenses including travel reimbursements.

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.
• 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.

By Gay Bowlin 

Last week was our Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Chicago where many things were accomplished. The most important – electing the IFB President and Vice President. Rich Guebert II was re-elected for his third term and Brian Duncan from Ogle County will serve as Vice President. We wish them both the best during their term and will continue to help in any way we can.

Gay Bowlin -Franklin County Farm Bureau Manager

Capping off a yearlong policy process, county Farm Bureau delegates this week endorsed a new solar energy policy, the organization’s farm bill priorities and strengthened policies related to conservation programs.

Illinois Farm Bureau’s new solar policy, originally proposed by White County, addresses property tax assessment, property rights and decommissioning, among other things. In the last two years alone, nearly 30 solar companies have solicited farmers in 83 Illinois counties.

“What the delegates did was put a very comprehensive policy in place that will guide us both in the legislative arena and regulatory arena as we go forward with these solar farms,” said Mark Gebhards, Illinois Farm Bureau’s executive director of governmental affairs and commodities.

The policy will be submitted to American Farm Bureau Federation for consideration during its resolution process this week.

The Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting wrapped up earlier this week in Chicago, and attention now shifts to the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Nashville next month.

Much of the focus will be on the 2018 farm bill, IFB official Mark Gebhards told the RFD Radio Network®.

“We will be gearing up in a big way,” said Gebhards, IFB’s executive director of governmental affairs and commodities. “We did outline our list of priorities for the 2018 (farm) bill, and those discussions have already begun.”

“The challenge will certainly be around what funding is available, and how do we maintain the funding that is needed for the farm bill in general?” he continued. “There are a lot of different components to this bill.”

The huge piece of legislation not only impacts agriculture but nutrition programs as well.

“Which is really about 75 to 78 percent of the funding that’s required for the bill goes into the nutrition program,” Gebhards said, referring to the Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program, or SNAP.

Another key component of IFB’s farm bill discussions is maintaining a healthy crop insurance program.

“Crop insurance remains our top priority, as it has been for some time, making sure that we can continue to have a strong crop insurance program,” Gebhards said.
The current farm bill is set to expire in September.

IFB is also concerned about the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).

“Obviously, CRP and continuation of that or the addition of acres was discussed at our annual meeting,” Gebhards said. “And I think conservation will be a part of the discussion as we go forward with AFBF as well.”

Rural development, rural broadband access and rural health care also got some attention at the IFB annual meeting, and those issues will likely carry over to the AFBF convention.

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

December 12, 2017 6:30  PM Rend Lake College 468 N Ken Gray Parkway Ina, IL 62846

I. Call to Order

II. Roll Call

III. General Information

A. Announcements

1. January 15 – March 2, 2018 Visiting Artist: Erica Burton Theatre Lobby

2. Thursday, January 25, 2018; 7:00pm Thespian Comedy Improv Theatre

3. Wednesday, February 7, 2018 WYSE 2018 Competition James “Hummer” Waugh Gymnasium

4. Friday, March 2, 2018 Career Fair RLC Campus

5. Monday, March 5, 2018; 6:30pm Spoken Word & Open Mic Night King City Books, Mt. Vernon

6. Thursday – Friday, March 22 – 23, 2018 Kickstart Your Journey RLC Campus

7. April 5-7 @ 7pm nightly, April 8 @ 2pm Spring Musical: The Addams Family Rend Lake College Theatre
ii

8. Thursday – Monday, April 5 – 9, 2018 HLC 2018 Annual Conference Hyatt Regency Chicago 9. Thursday, April 12, 2018; 3:00 – 6:00 pm Job Search Party Mt. Vernon Hotel and Event Center IV. Closed Session – The Board may go into closed session pursuant to Section 2(c)(1)(2)(11)(21) of the Open Meetings Act.

Subsection (1) appointment, employment, and compensation of specific employees; (2) collective negotiating matters; (11) litigation; (21) approval of meeting minutes.

V. Resume Open Meeting

VI. Approval of Consent Agenda

VII. Approval of Minutes of the: 2 * November 14, 2017 Board of Trustees Meeting;* * November 14, 2017 Board of Trustees Executive Session*

VIII. New Business

11 * A. Approval of Revisions to Rend Lake College Policy & Procedure 3.1112 – Student Employment

14 B. Approval of Revisions to Rend Lake College Policy 3.1530 – Holidays 16 C. Approval of Calendar Year 2018 Board Meeting Schedule

18 D. Recommendation to Approve the 2018-2019 Rend Lake College Catalog – TO BE PROVIDED IX. Personnel

20 A. Ratify the Acceptance of Resignation of Specialist – Subsidized Child Care – Child Care Resource and Referral

B. Appointments

23 1. Specialist – Subsidized Child Care – Child Care Resource and Referral

iii

25 2. License Exempt Monitor – Child Care Resource and Referral

27 3. Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Instruction

29 4. Nursing Instructor

X. Financial Information 32 A. Ratification of the Payment of College Expenses including Travel Expense Reimbursements

B. Financials (INFORMATIONAL; TO BE PROVIDED)

XI. Reports

1. Academic Council

2. ICCTA Representative
3. Rend Lake College Foundation 4. Accreditation Report

XII. Public Comment

XIII. President’s Comments

XIV. Adjournment

CHIRSTOPHER-  City leaders in Christopher consider a property tax increase, a new sexual harassment policy and a new engineering firm at Monday night’s meeting.

The council voted on a 4.8 percent increase, an increase mayor Gary Bartolotti said will amount to an increase of $3 or $4 for the average home in the city.

“Our liability insurance and workman’s comp has went up over the years and that’s what we got to cover,” Bartolotti said.

The council also voted on a new sexual harassment policy. The proposal brings the city in line with a state law requiring such a policy.

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37043801/christopher-council-considers-property-tax-increase-sexual-harassment-policy

BENTON – The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

12-1-17 at 5:21 pm Deputies responded to an incident that occurred in rural
Benton. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Peter C. Klus age 38 of Benton
Criminal Records for domestic battery.

12-2-17 at 10:21 am Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in Royalton. The
investigation resulted in the arrest of Garrett H. Beasley age 38 of Royalton for
domestic battery.

12-3-17 at 1:25 pm Deputies responded to an incident that occurred in rural West Frankfort. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Chad A. Nelson age 38 of West Frankfort for furnishing alcohol to a minor. The incident is still under investigation and more arrests are anticipated.

12-3-17 at 5:11 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on ll. Rt. 148 just south of Peach Orchard Rd. A 1952 Jeep Carry-All driven by Joe C. Kloepper age 56 of Sesser was south bound on Rt. 148 stopped in traffic to negotiate a left turn into a private driveway. A 2009 Dodge Caravan driven by James E. Deloria age 79 of Christopher was also south bound on Rt. 148 and rearended the jeep. There were no injuries. James E. Deloria was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, illegal transportation of alcohol and driving under the influence.

12-4-17 at 2:36 am a Deputy investigating a minor traffic crash in rural Benton arrested and charged

Dylan B. Fenoglio (Franklin County Sheriff’s office image)

age 19 of Benton with violating the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act, a class 3 felony (failure to register).
Fenolgio is being held in the Franklin County Jail in lieu of $15,000.00 bail bond.

12-4-17 at 4:27 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Rt. 37 north of Benton. A 1989 Chevrolet Caprice driven by Tyler G. Johnson age 34 of Waltonville was north bound on Rt. 37 stopped in traffic to negotiate a left turn into a business. A 2015 Ford Fusion driven by Jennifer D. Rash age 33 of Benton was also north bound and rear-ended the Caprice. There were no injuries and Jennifer Rash was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

12-5-17 at 1:20 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural West Frankfort. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Brad M. Williams age 30 of West Frankfort for domestic battery.

12-5-17 at 7:27 pm the investigation of a traffic incident led to the arrest of John G. Truitt age 61 of Benton for driving while license revoked and driving under the influence of alcohol.

12-6-17 at 4:49 pm Deputies responded to a single traffic crash on ll. Rt. 37 north of Benton. A 2007 Lincoln MKZ driven by David P. Kinison age 56 of Mt. Vernon was south bound on Rt. 37 when the driver stated that he fell asleep, crossed over into the north bound lane, then overcorrected, running off the roadway on the west side, traveling down an embankment. The driver was not injured. A passenger, Robert A. Kinison age 54 of Chicago received non-life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott E.M.S.

12-7-17 at 4:13 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Il. Rt. 37 at Ruembler Crossing. A 2004 Ford Taurus driven by Jennifer R. Shelton age 28 of Thompsonville was north bound on Rt. 37 and attempted to negotiate a right turn (east) onto Ruembler Crossing. A 2007 Ford Focus was stationary at Ruembler Crossing facing west. The Focus was driven by Nathan A. Lee age 28 of DuQuoin. The Taurus struck the Focus during the turn. There were no injuries and Jennifer R. Shelton was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. She was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

12-7-17 at 8:24 pm Deputies responded to a single crash on Peach Orchard Road just east of the Perry County line. A 2002 Ford Explorer driven by Kimberly R. Helbig age 39 of Tamaroa was west bound on Peach Orchard Road. The driver lost control, exited the south side of the roadway and overturned. The driver suffered minor injuries and has been cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and driving under the influence of alcohol.

WARRANTS

12-3-17 Brittany N. Wood age 28 of Royalton. Failure to appear for burglary.
12-4-17 Natalie R. Mosley age 54 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear for domestic battery.
12-5-17 Phillippe J. Laurent age 35 of Mulkeytown. Battery
12-7-147 Amy L. Tighe age 42 of Johnston city. Possession of methamphetamine.
12-8-17 Barbara J. Thompson age 48 of Herrin. Failure to appear for theft.
The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

CHICAGO  — The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) said today that the General Assembly must enact legislation to ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations requiring that all revenue from State and local taxes on aviation fuel be spent on airports or airport systems.

The FAA’s spending restrictions apply to the 20-percent portion of the State sales tax — or 1.25 percentage points — that the State collects on aviation fuel sales and apportions to local governments, in addition to any local add-on sales taxes. The General Assembly has been unable to agree on legislation that would either exempt aviation fuel from the affected taxes, or create a system to track tax revenue generated from aviation fuel sales for spending on airports.

Failure to comply could cost the state as much as $129 million in federal sanctions in 2018 alone, and make the state ineligible for more than $67 million in federal assistance block grants under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Today marks the deadline for compliance, but State revenue officials hope Illinois can avoid sanctions if the legislature passes legislation to bring the State into compliance as soon as possible.

In the meantime, IDOR has created a new tax form specifically for aviation fuel sales so that the State can begin tracking this revenue.

IDOR estimates that the State’s taxes subject to the FAA’s spending restrictions produce $43 million in annual revenue. Without legislative action to address the federal requirement, the FAA may impose sanctions amounting to three times the total amount of diverted revenue, i.e. aviation fuel sales tax revenue that is not spent on airports or airport systems.

If the General Assembly votes to exempt aviation fuel from taxes subject to the FAA spending restrictions, Illinois averts the risk of sanctions because there will be no tax revenue to divert. If the legislature votes to continue collecting these taxes, then the FAA requires the revenue be spent exclusively on airports or airport systems. The State has no mechanism to enforce how local governments spend State-administered, locally imposed tax revenue.

“The FAA issued this regulation in 2014 with today’s deadline for compliance,” said Hans Zigmund, director of economic policy for Gov. Bruce Rauner. “HB 1129 was introduced this year to address the issue and the framework of the bill is largely workable. The General Assembly should come together as soon as possible to finalize the details. It would be a violation of our public trust to risk spending taxpayer dollars on avoidable penalties.”