by Steve Dunford

I have not issued a forecast in a few days because it would be a broken record.  I have said it has been coming since I shared the remnants of Irma.

It could be what the old timers called “Indian Summer”.  This is when the multi-colored corn, that people call Indian Corn would be ready for harvest.  This is used in multiple fall decorations.  There is always a cool down, then warm up to summer like conditions around this time of year.

If there are stretches of fair weather, I will not update the forecast.  However, I will always have an update on Thursday or Friday for the weather conditions for High School Football.

Kickoff weather for tomorrow night is supposed to be 80 degrees and mostly sunny.  It sounds like a shorts night instead of a hoodie.

Week 5, which I call rivalry week, it was hotter than blue blazes.  I was able to attend both games against C-Z-R and S-V-W-W and Benton vs West Frankfort.  It was 91 degrees at kickoff at Christopher.  It was 96 at Tabor Field when the horn sounded that Saturday afternoon.

That weekend it is going to be in the upper 80’s with a chance of thunderstorms on Friday.  It will be hot but not as hot as last year.  A lot of things can change in nine days.

There are no advisories out for Southern Illinois.  There is a slight chance of thunderstorms Monday and Wednesday.

Seven Day Forecast

Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Light southeast wind.
Friday
Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South southeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Light south southeast wind.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Calm wind.
Monday
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Light south wind.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Calm wind.
Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South southeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
Wednesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Light south southeast wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 8 mph.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 5 to 8 mph.

From George O’Connor, Communications Director for Congressman Mike Bost  

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) today voted for H.R. 3354, the Make America Secure and Prosperous Act, to fully fund the federal government for Fiscal Year 2018. The legislation—which passed the House with a bipartisan majority – supports America’s rural economies, provides law enforcement resources to fight crime, and promotes small businesses.
“This legislation invests in proven programs that are vitally important to Southern Illinois while also reducing unnecessary and wasteful spending,” said Rep. Bost. “It is Congress’s constitutional responsibility to exercise the power of the purse and this legislation sensibly funds our government and puts the American people first.”

Make America Secure and Prosperous Act:

Spurring Economic Growth:

• Supports America’s rural economies by providing funding for infrastructure development, housing needs, and loans to help expand rural businesses and industries
• Promotes opportunities for American small business to begin, grow, and prosper by providing funding for small business loans and veterans’ small business programs

Supporting Our Farmers:

• Continues funding for critical programs that support farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners, including programs that help with the implementation of the Farm Bill
• Invests in agricultural research by continuing operations at all Agricultural Research Service facilities and supporting the Agriculture Food Research Initiative grant program

Fighting the Opioid Epidemic:

• Enhances drug enforcement efforts within the DEA, including heroin enforcement and combatting transnational organized crime, and increasing funding for DEA’s Diversion Control Program
• Includes funding for drug courts, treatment, and prescription drug monitoring as authorized in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act

Supporting National Security:

• Includes funding for physical barrier construction along the Southern border
• Invests in new border technology, new aircraft and sensors, and new inspection equipment to protect the border
• Combats the increasing threat of cyberattacks by funding programs to enhance critical infrastructure and secure government networks

by ReAnne Palmer, Rend Lake College Public Information

INA, IL– Coming in September, Rend Lake College and Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation will be partnering to assist individuals with legal barriers to employment. Attorneys from Land of Lincoln will provide on-site free legal services by appointment from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at Rend Lake College in Applied Science Center, Room 103.

Land of Lincoln attorneys will assist clients with filing petitions for the expunging or sealing of criminal records and will address other employment barriers. It is preferred that attendees bring their criminal records, but it is not required. The services are free and open to the public.

If you are interested in attending the event or would like more information, please contact Charah McKinzie, paralegal for Land of Lincoln, at 618-457-7800, Ext. 133, or Kaylee Smith, Career Services Specialist at Rend Lake College, at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1264.