Benton Police make three arrests over the weekend

December 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment

BENTON, IL- On December 1st, 2017 Benton Police were dispatched to the 100 block of Virginia Street in reference to a criminal trespass complaint.
Upon investigating, police arrested Jennifer R. Shelton, age 28, of Benton for criminal trespass. Shelton was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On December 1st, 2017 Benton Police were dispatched to the 800 block of Highland Street in reference to a domestic disturbance.
Upon investigating, police arrested Brandon Rodriguez, age 30, of Ellenboro, NC for domestic battery. Rodriguez was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On December 2nd, 2017 Benton Police were dispatched to the 400 block of Lickliter Street in reference to a domestic disturbance.
Upon investigating, police arrested Zachary Odam, age 30, of Benton for domestic battery and unlawful restraint.
Odam was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

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

Franklin County Bicentennial Ceremony – Location Change/Schedule

December 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Franklin County Government officials will hold a ceremony on Monday, December 4th, 2017 at 12:00 PM at the Franklin County Courthouse to honor the Illinois Bicentennial as well as the Bicentennial of the County of Franklin. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this event on the NORTH lawn/entrance of the Franklin County Courthouse located at 1 Public Square in Benton, IL

Schedule of Events

 Opening Remarks & Welcome – Randall Crocker, Chairman of the County Board

 Flag Raising Ceremony – American Legion #280, VFW #2671

 Pledge of Allegiance – State Representative David Severin

 National Anthem – Jaidyn M. Buckingham

 History of Illinois Remarks – Bob Rea

 Resolution Presentation – Illinois Bicentennial – Jim Muir, Circuit Clerk

 History of Franklin County Remarks – John Gulley

 Resolution Presentation – Franklin County Bicentennial – Keith Jones, Treasurer

 Closing Remarks – Randall Crocker, Chairman of the County Board

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Christopher boys and girls both pick up wins over Cobden

December 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment

By Jim Muir

CHRISTOPHER – Christopher boys and girls had a good day on Saturday as both notched non-conference victories over visiting Cobden.

In girls action the Lady Bearcats picked up a hard-fought 56-49 win to move to 5-2 overall this season. Both teams tallied 11 points in the first quarter and the Lady Bearcats eked ahead 26-23 at the intermission. Cobden outscored the Lady ‘Cats 12-11 in the third quarter to pull within two heading into the final stanza. A 19-14 surge by Christopher in the final quarter secured the win.

Christopher placed three players in double figures led by Courtney Hoppers with 16, followed by Kassie O’Bryan with 12 and Jayla Williams with 11. Rounding out the scoring Kaitlyn Hewitt had nine points, Andrea Miller with four points and Carley Young and Lauren Kent with two points each. Flamm led the Lady Appleknockers with 15 points.

The Lady Cats are back in action on Thursday, Dec. 7 when they face the Sesser-Valier-Waltonville Lady Devils in a key Black Diamond Conference West matchup.

In the boy’s contest Christopher was paced by the 33-point effort of Bradley Young and improved to 4-0 overall on the young season.

The Bearcats jumped out to a nine point first quarter lead at 23-14 and then increased the margin to double digits at halftime, 39-25. Along with Young’s 33 points, Gabriel Motsinger also tallied double figures with 15 points, followed by Dalton Saeger and Jared Curry with nine points each, Bryce Pratt with six point and Daniel Flowers with one point. Clayton Eck led Cobden with 23 points.

The Bearcats are back in action on Tuesday, Dec. 5 when they travel to Jefferson County to take on the always-tough Woodlawn Cardinals in a non-conference matchup.

 

Filed Under: Christopher News, Sports

Rangers go 4-1 at Goreville, finish in second place

December 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment

By Jim Muir

Prior to the start of the 6th Annual Goreville Invitational Tournament Benton Coach Ron Winemiller said the opening night game between his Rangers and Anna-Jonesboro “could be the championship game.” After a full week of action at the GIT the Benton coach looks like a prophet.

The Rangers dropped the Monday night contest with the Wildcats 68-66 in overtime on a last second shot by Jake Parr. And from that point on the Rangers and Wildcats both ran the table leaving A-J with a 5-0 mark and the championship and the Rangers in second place at 4-1.

“Overall it was a good week of basketball,” said Winemiller. “We learned a little bit about who we are as a team.”

With a 4-1 mark in 2017 the Rangers are now 18-2 at Goreville during the past four years.

The Rangers were sluggish in a 51-38 victory over Hamilton County on Friday night but were hitting on all cylinders in two lopsided victories on Saturday. Benton hammered Johnston City 59-20 in a 10 a.m. contest on Saturday. Johnston City trailed 13-10 at the end of one and then managed only 10 points total over the remaining three quarters.

The Rangers put 12 players in the scoring column with Hamilton Page leading the way with 11. Also in double figures was Mason Morris with 10, followed by Gehrig Wynn and Carson Lewis with eight each, Parker Williams with seven, Cade Thomas with four and Mason Wills, Braxton Lutz, Noah Kays, Brad Hammond and Brett Bonenberger with two each. Eldon Owens added a free throw for one point.

In the finale on Saturday Benton faced the host Goreville Blackcats with second place on the line. Benton led 18-11 after one quarter and then went on a 21-3 run in the second quarter to open up a 41-23 halftime lead.

“We did a good job of stringing some stops together and having some good offensive possessions,” Winemiller said. “I felt our rebounding was the key. We were able to finish the possession by getting some rebounds and then we got out in transition and made some easy baskets.

Benton was led in scoring with 20 points by senior Gehrig Wynn and 15 by Hamilton Page. Cade Thomas added nine points, followed by Parker Williams and Mason Morris with eight points each. Sophomore Carson Lewis added five points, Brett Bonenberger added 3 points and Noah Kays and Joey Craig had two points each.

The GIT All-Tournament team consisted of Ross Pinnon and Sheldon McGrath from Anna-Jonesboro, Cade Thomas, Parker Williams and Gehrig Wynn from Benton, Tanner Dunn and Braden Webb from Goreville, Matt Rubenacker from Hamilton County and Chase Selby from Johnston City.

The Rangers return to regular season play in the home opener and the kick off to the SIRR Ohio Division when they host the Herrin Tigers on Friday, December 8.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Benton News, Featured, Sports

Major warehouse fire in Mt. Vernon

December 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Mt. Vernon Register-News photo

MT. VERNON- Mt. Vernon Fire Department responded to a large fire at around 12:45 p.m. Saturday at a warehouse at 13th Street and Logan Street.

Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Sargent said the warehouse was being used by Kendrick Paper Stock Co. to store cardboard, paper and other materials.

Please click on the link below to follow this story from the Mt. Vernon Register-News.

http://www.register-news.com/news/major-fire-breaks-out-at-th-and-logan/article_f498b2c4-d799-11e7-b814-4b8f2bb5df4e.html

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Red Devils drop 56-48 decision to Du Quoin

December 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment

By Jim Muir

The Sesser-Valier Red Devils dropped a hard-fought 56-48 decision to the host Indians in Friday night hoops from the Du Quoin Tip-Off Classic.

Coach Shane Garner said turnovers were instrumental in the loss on Friday night.

“Turnovers were an issue on Monday against Cairo and they were again tonight,” said Garner. “I though we clicked early and executed very well. In the end they were able to put together some runs and we weren’t.”

Du Quoin led 19-16 at the end of one quarter and extended the lead to 34-27 at halftime.

Garner said rebounding was also a key to the loss.

“They really dominated us on the glass,” said Garner. “We would force them into missing a shot and then we couldn’t capitalize and get a rebound and gave them second chance opportunities.”

The Red Devils were led in scoring by Tyler Winchester with 19, the lone S-V player in double figures. Also scoring for the Red Devils was Preston Launius and Peyton Rock with nine points each, followed by Lukas Gunter with 8, Addison Page with 2 and Josh Gunter with one point.

The loss dropped S-V to 0-2 on the young season and 0-2 heading into a tough day of action on Saturday in the round robin tournament. The Red Devils face Carmi-White County at 12 noon and then will come back at 6 p.m. to meet Massac County.

 

 

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

Governor Rauner, Japaneese Consultate participate in Chineese luncheon

December 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment

By ReAnne Palmer –

INA, IL – Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and the Japanese Consulate Consul General Naoki Ito stopped by Rend Lake College Wednesday for a luncheon during a tour of Southern Illinois. While on campus, Rauner and Ito met with local politicians and businesspeople to talk about education and workforce development. The luncheon consisted of sandwiches and sides prepared by RLC Culinary Arts students as part of a skills-based final examination.

Japanese Consul Naoki Ito speaks with RLC President Terry Wilkerson at the start of the luncheon.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

 

RLC Culinary Arts student Kimber Withrow of Bluford takes a lunch order from Hisayo Matsumoto, an economic researcher for the Consulate General, during the luncheon.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

 

RLC Culinary Arts student Kimber Withrow of Bluford takes a lunch order from Hisayo Matsumoto, an economic researcher for the Consulate General, during the luncheon.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

 

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News

Marion Mayor Bob Butler to retire

December 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment

MARION – A long time icon in Southern Illinois politics Marion Mayor Bob Butler will be retiring from office effective January 31, 2018.

Please click on the following link to read the statement issued by Mayor Butler to WSIL-TV.

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36972647/marion-mayor-bob-butler-to-retire-in-january

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Franklin County to hold Bicentennial ceremony for County and State

December 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment

BENTON, IL- Franklin County Government officials will hold a ceremony on Monday, December 4th, 2017 at 12:00 PM at the Franklin County Courthouse to honor the Illinois Bicentennial as well as the Bicentennial of the County of Franklin. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this event on the south lawn of the Courthouse. The event schedule will include guest speakers, presentation of proclamations, and a flag raising ceremony.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Sen. Fowler hosts first Veterans Advisory Committee

November 30, 2017 By Leave a Comment

MARION, IL – On November 27th, Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) hosted his first-ever Veterans Advisory Committee at the Carnegie Library in Marion, inviting local veterans and veteran service providers throughout the region to join him for a discussion about the issues important to the veterans in the 59th Senate District.

“Our veterans give so much to our nation and ask for so little in return. We have a responsibility to ensure that their voice is heard and their needs are represented,” said Sen. Fowler. “Yesterday’s event was about giving our veterans a platform to openly discuss the issues that matter to them and provide me with feedback on the needs of our veterans.”

Almost 30 veterans and veteran service providers joined Senator Fowler for his first meeting, discussing issues including housing for veterans, healthcare access, available services provided by the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the need for skilled and basic care providers, honor flights and concealed carry issues.

“I’m excited about taking what I heard from our discussion, moving forward and doing more to ensure that we’re taking care of the brave men and women who have already sacrificed so much so that we can have the opportunities and freedoms we enjoy today,” said Sen. Fowler. “This is just the first of what I hope is many conversations, and I’m excited to take what I heard in our meeting and work to better represent the interests of our veterans in state government.”

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News
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