Bost Applauds Decision to Roll Back Obama Power Plant Regulations

October 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro ) today released the following statement applauding EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s decision to repeal the Obama Administration’s power plant regulations.

“The Obama Administration’s addiction to over-regulation threatened to wipe out hundreds of jobs in Southern Illinois and many thousands nationwide,” said Rep. Bost. “The impact of such a serious hit to the coal industry led to unpredictable home energy prices for hardworking families already struggling to get ahead. I applaud the administration’s decision to secure the reliability and resiliency of America’s electrical grid.”

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Mary Moreland Named 2017 W.O.N. Founders Award Recipient for McDonald’s Corporation

October 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT – John Moreland, Owner/Operator, Moreland Organization, Mary Moreland, Owner/Operator, Moreland Organization, Chris Kempczinski, President of McDonald’s USA,  Stephanie Bishop, Owner/Operator, Bishop Organization Nicole Moreland, Office Manager, Bishop Organization

MARION, IL – McDonald’s of the Indianapolis Region today announced that West Frankfort, Illinois resident and McDonald’s owner/operator, Mary Moreland is the recipient of the 2017 W.O.N. (Women Operator Network) Founders Award.

“We are so proud to announce that Mary has won the prestigious Founders Award,” said Linda Burrell, president of W.O.N.’s Indianapolis Region Chapter and Middle-Tennessee owner/operator. “Mary has been an active member of our chapter for decades and has mentored not only her daughter (Stephanie Bishop, also a McDonald’s owner/operator), but many prospective McDonald’s women owner/operators and other young-women in her local community.”

The national and bi-annual honor recognizes a woman owner/operator who works beyond her own life and community and makes a difference in the lives of other women. She is someone who has a vision beyond her own company and inspires and motivates others to see beyond themselves and acts to light a path for those who travel in her footsteps.

Mary Moreland and husband, John Moreland, own and operate ten McDonald’s restaurants in the Tri-State and Evansville, Indiana area. She’s been an approved operator for 35 years, and a partner in the family-owned business for more than 52 years. Mary was selected as this year’s Founders Award recipient from nearly 808 McDonald’s women owner/operators nationally.

“It is both an honor and a privilege to recognize Mary with this milestone achievement,” said McDonald’s vice president and general manager, Cedric Jones. “As a McDonald’s owner/operator for more than 35 years, Mary has been and continues to be a true ambassador of the Brand in her community, working every day to inspire and motivate others to fulfill their dreams.”

Chris Kempczinski, president of McDonald’s USA recognized Mary this week at the 2017 W.O.N. National Business Conference in Chandler, Arizona.

Filed Under: Benton News, Featured, Franklin Co. News, West Frankfort News

More storms on the way

October 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

There is a line of Thunderstorms that are crossing the Mississippi as we speak.  They are slow moving in front of an advancing cold front toward the area.  Small hail and wind gust up to 40 mph have been reported with these storms.  They are below severe limits.

The first round this morning brought some much needed relief to the dry conditions.  Radar generated rain totals from around the county go from .3″ near Zeigler and Royalton, .6″ around Christopher one inch around Benton Sesser and West Frankfort, pockets of 1.5″ around Thompsonville, to over 2″ northeast of Ewing.

The Storm Prediction Center still has us placed under a moderate risk (level 1 or 5) for the risk of damaging thunderstorm winds.   The SPC was eying Southern Illinois for the possibility of issuing a Severe Thunderstorm Watch.

I look for a few significant weather advisories to be issued and maybe one or two Severe Thunderstorm Warnings to be issued.

I will be monitoring the storms as they approach.   I will try to post statements on the website.  However, I will keep the Facebook page updated frequently during any severe weather event.

I am trying to tweak how I do things.  I have only posted the forecast here lately if there is a change.  I am going to go back to doing it on a daily basis again.   The Hazardous Weather Outlook and the seven day forecast are posted below.

Hazardous Weather Outlook

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

The Storm Prediction Center continues to outlook a marginal risk
of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, particularly
from 3 to 8 p.m. Damaging wind is the primary severe weather
concern, with a limited risk for large hail. Storm hazards will
also include lightning and heavy rain.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Wednesday through Monday

A chance of thunderstorms is forecast for all or a portion of the
region late Saturday night through Sunday night. Locally heavy
rainfall and lightning will be the primary concerns.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation is possible this afternoon and evening,
especially across southeast Missouri and southern Illinois.

Seven Day Forecast

This Afternoon
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. South southwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming west in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 68. West wind around 8 mph.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Light and variable wind.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Light south southeast wind.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 5 to 8 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind around 8 mph.
Sunday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. South southwest wind 9 to 11 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon.
Sunday Night
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 69. North northwest wind around 7 mph.

 

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

Sixth Annual Criminal Justice Roundup for Scholarships set for Oct. 23

October 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by ReAnne Palmer -Rend Lake College Public Information

Six of the eight scholarship recipients were in attendance during the 2016 Criminal Justice Roundup for Scholarships. They are, FROM LEFT, Megan Kluck (Bluford), Eric Field (Mt. Vernon), Ashly Brown (Sesser), Blake Miller (Thompsonville), Alexus Johnson (Bluford), Devin Williams (Odin), and RLC Professor Ron Meek.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

INA, IL – The sixth annual Criminal Justice Roundup for Scholarships fundraiser is returning later this month to raise money for Rend Lake College students. The event is set for 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23 in the Mt. Vernon Event Center, Salon C, formerly the Holiday Inn, in Mt. Vernon.

During the fundraiser, RLC faculty and one student scholarship recipient will address the audience about current events in the program. Students, family, friends, and patrons are invited to partake of hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar throughout the evening.

Annually, the evening brings in funds for students from individual donors, local law enforcement agencies, college faculty and staff, and many others. Last year, the program raised over $3,000 during the event.

The cost to attend the fundraiser is $25. Those wishing to attend should RSVP to Ron Meek at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1239 or meekr@rlc.edu by Monday, October 16.

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Accident on I 57 in Williamson County with one fatality

October 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Illinois State Police photo

 

MARION, IL- Interstate 57 northbound between exits 45 and 53 is closed due to a traffic crash. Please seek alternate routes until further notice.

This is located at the Route 148 exit, just north of the Interstate 24 interchange.  Traffic on Routes 37 and 148 northbound could become heavy in Williamson County.

From the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency 

UPDATE:
All lanes have been reopened at this time to normal flow as of 2:45 P.M..

TRAFFIC ALERT
The Illinois State Police is currently on scene with a multiple vehicle crash on I57 North Bound at Mile Post 47.
There are injuries and one confirmed fatality. Traffic backed up from the construction was stopped and a semi rear ended a passenger vehicle pushing it into the rear of a second semi.

ISP FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 13
WHAT: Three Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash

WHERE: I57 North Bound Mile Post 47, Williamson County

WHEN: Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at 10:14 A.M.

VEHICLES: 2016 Freightliner in 5 axle combination, a full sized 2002 GMC van, and a 2010 Kenworth in 5 axle combination

DRIVERS: Freightliner – Willie Lee Shelby, a 62 year old male of Madison, MS – Minor injuries – Transported via ambulance to a local hospital.

GMC – Wayne S. Maxwell, a 57 year old male of O’Fallon, IL – Fatally injured – Pronounced deceased on scene by Williamson County Coroner Burke

Kenworth – Jagpreet Singh, a 27 year old male of Lenexa, KS – Uninjured

PASSENGER: Kenworth – Sarbjit Singh, a 32 year old male of Lenexa, KS – Uninjured

PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate traffic on I57 North Bound was backed up due to a construction project that began at mile post 48. All three of the involved vehicles in this incident were north bound at mile post 47. The Kenworth was leading, followed by the GMC. Both of these vehicles were slowed nearly to a stop for the backed up traffic. The Freightliner struck the rear of the GMC shoving it into the rear of the Kenworth causing the fatal injuries to Maxwell.
All north bound traffic was diverted off of I57 at Exit 45 until approximately 2:45 P.M. when it resumed normal flow. All three vehicles were towed from the scene due to damage.

CHARGES: Shelby was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash. Additional charges could be levied pending further investigation by Illinois State Police Crash Reconstruction Officers.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Benton police make the following arrests over the weekend

October 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment

BENTON, IL – On October 7th, 2017 Benton Police arrested Cynthia R. Keller, age 54, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear. Keller was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On October 8th, 2017 Benton Police arrested Bradley D. Schram, age 31, of West City on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear. Schram was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On October 9th, 2017 Benton Police responded to a report of criminal trespass. Upon investigating, officers arrested Randall D. Orlandini, age 18, for the offense of criminal trespass to real property. Orlandini was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

 

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

50 INFLUENCERS OF REND LAKE COLLEGE: BETTY ANN WARD, GUIDING LIGHT

October 9, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Reece Rutland – Rend Lake College Public information

With any organization, it’s possible that some of the most influential people aren’t newsworthy in the traditional sense of the word. So, as the years go by, there are unsung heroes whose dedication and service get overshadowed by larger personalities and grander titles.

 

Betty Ann Ward from 1968 RLC Yearbook

The next entry on the 50 Influencer list never rose to any leadership positions that helped steer the institution. She never helped build a building or win a championship. But, Betty Ann Ward did something as well as anyone else in the college’s history, she cared.

Ward was among that storied handful of instructors that transitioned over from Mt. Vernon Community College when it was phased out in favor of Rend Lake College in 1967, and was one of the 15 former MVCC instructors granted the very first round of tenure a year later.

Those first 15 were:

Wayne Arnold, Health, Physical Education and Recreation Instructor; Imogene Book, Librarian; E. Judson DeWitt, Psychology Instructor; Paula Dulaney, Library Assistant; Dr. Eugene Estes, Science Instructor; Gela Goin, Secretarial Science Instructor, Eleanor Hall, Sociology and Anthropology Instructor; Georgine Hawley, English Instructor; Ed Kownacki, Math and Science Instructor; Dr. Barbara Luchsinger, English Instructor; Shirley McHaney, Allied Health Department Chair; Richard Perrachione, Math Instructor; Betty Ann Ward, Math Instructor and Counselor; Jim Waugh, Health and Physical Education Instructor, and William Younghusband, Business Instructor.

A decade later, 10 of the 15 still remained, Ward among them.

“These 10 people have had an impact on the college that multiplies many times the 10,” said then College Dean Mark Kern while acknowledging the group consisting of Ward, Arnold, Estes, Goin, Hawley, Luchsinger, McHaney, Perrachione, Waugh and Younghusband. The 10 represented a combined 300 years of teaching experience.

Yet, even among those peers, Ward was respected for her devotion to improving the lives of every student she came in contact with.

Perhaps even more important to Ward than her inside-the-classroom role was her position as the college’s primary counselor

“She was a true counselor and friend of all students. All students were welcome to her office and/or home whether they had a problem or not. Who knows the number of students she taught how to play bridge,” recalled Arnold.

Her former students are quick to collaborate that sentiment.

“Once I entered college, Betty Ann Ward provided me with guidance. She took me ‘under her wings’ and made me feel like I counted,” said former MVCC student Robert L. Brown.

Brown went on to follow in Ward’s footsteps, becoming a counselor at Mt. Vernon Township High School as well as being an active force in his community.

He wasn’t the only one to pick up the torch Ward had sparked in the lives of her students.

Betty Ward counseling a student.

Dr. Gary Sweeten, an Ina native who now owns a large counseling agency in Cincinnati, said Ward was especially influential.
“She is the reason I entered counseling,” he said. “She inspired me. I didn’t know what counselors did, but I decided I wanted to be like her.”

He now owns and operates Life Way Counseling – a large family and individual counseling agency in Cincinnati that employs 15 therapists.

Rend Lake College’s very first yearbook, the 1967-68 TARN, was “proudly” dedicated to Ward.

“We firmly believe that Miss Ward should be credited with much of the unity and development of the faculty, the students and the community of Rend Lake College. No matter how minute or involved the problems may be, Miss Ward always finds it to be a self-imperative need to help the college’s students to become better citizens in their country and their community,” reads the dedication.

The 1963 Pyramid Yearbook is also dedicated to Ward and then RLC Dean Howard Rawlinson for “their devotion to the school and its betterment.”

Ward was active on the first faculty councils at RLC, a trend she started by being active on the MVCC councils. She also tried to be as active as she could on campus to support the students she cared so deeply for.

“She and I also served as faculty sponsors at student dances when the college was still housed at Mt. Vernon High School. The music was as loud then as it is today,” Arnold reminisced. “It was so loud that we would sit right next to each other and she couldn’t hear a word I was saying … We were close friends, and I enjoyed working with her very much.”

Arnold said that Ward passed away sometime during summer in the mid-80s while she was visiting friends in the metro east area. She had pre-arranged the details for her funeral with Charlie Hughey at Hughey Funeral Home.

Ward had told Hughey that she didn’t want a memorial or funeral. But, following her death, her family at RLC couldn’t stand to not offer tribute in some way. Rawlinson put on a small service in the RLC Theatre. Estes, Luchsinger and Arnold spoke in memory of their colleague and friend.

“Charlie Hughey attended the memorial and after the session, I was visiting with him and we were discussing her wish for him to determine what to do with her ashes,” recalled Arnold.

“I asked him what he was going to do with them. He said that he had given it a lot of thought and that Rend Lake College was her life and he decided to drive to the campus on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon with her urn and throw the ashes into the air and let the wind blow them. He did that. So, in a way, Betty Ann is still with us. It was a great tribute for a great lady.”

 

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News

City of Benton under a burn ban

October 9, 2017 By Leave a Comment

BENTON, IL – The City of Benton Burn Ordinance states that an automatic burn ban goes into effect when winds are over 10 mph or when put into effect by the Fire Chief during conditions unfavorable to burning.

Therefore, with conditions as such, we have placed the city under a burn ban effective 2 pm. Please be good neighbors and refrain from all burning until further notice.

from Benton Fire Chief Shane Cockrum

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

Marginal Risk of severe weather tomorrow

October 9, 2017 By Leave a Comment

The Storm Prediction Center is keeping a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms for mainly the afternoon and early evening hours on Tuesday, October 10th. The primary hazard will be the potential for a few damaging wind gusts. Lesser hazards will be hail and the potential for an isolated and brief tornado. The threat of severe weather will be conditional, depending the impact of storms earlier in the day, as well as any persistent cloud cover. (NWS Paducah)

Hazardous Weather Outlook

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

Thunderstorms return to the forecast tonight. No severe weather is
anticipated, so storm hazards will be heavy rain and lightning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Tuesday through Sunday

The Storm Prediction Center outlooks a marginal risk of severe
thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon and evening. Strong winds aloft
and the strength of the system will make large hail and damaging
winds the primary severe weather associated hazards. Storm hazards
will also include lightning and heavy rain.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation is possible Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Seven Day Forecast

Columbus Day
Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South southeast wind around 6 mph.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Light east southeast wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. East wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Light and variable wind becoming west southwest around 6 mph in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. West northwest wind around 7 mph.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Light west northwest wind.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Light and variable wind.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Calm wind.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 60. South wind 3 to 5 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 3 to 7 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 63. South southwest wind around 7 mph.
Sunday
A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. South southwest wind 7 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Bost to Host Tele-town Hall Meeting with VA Committee Chairman Phil Roe

October 9, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) announced that he will host his sixth telephone-town hall meeting this year beginning at approximately 6:30pm CT on Tuesday, October 10th. Constituents of the 12th District can be part of the free, public forum by registering at www.bost.house.gov/participate.

Bost  will be joined by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Phil Roe. They will provide an update on activities in the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and any other federal issues constituents would like to discuss during the Q&A portion of the call.

Bost reports that his conference calls average nearly 10,000 listeners each time and are comprised of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents from all 12 counties across the 12th District.

from George O’ Connor – Communications Director, Congressman Mike Bost

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News
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