Local musicians plan music tutoring program at schools

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36340610/local-musicians-plan-music-tutoring-program-at-schools

AKIN, IL  – (Joe Ragusa, WSIL-TV.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.

A local school teacher and musician wants to bring back music programs in schools that can’t afford to keep them.

Craig Tessone, an Akin Grade School teacher and musician, wants to bring students that experience by bringing music back to schools.

“It has taken me to places I’ve never dreamed of,” Tessone said. “I’ve gotten to sing and perform in front of lots of people. I’ve written original songs and gotten to record in Nashville.”

Tessone said his tutoring program remains in the planning stages but he hopes to teach groups of 15 kids once a week at several schools.

SIU to host career fairs next week

by Pete Rosenbery, Southern Illinois University News Service

CARBONDALE, IL – Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Career Services Center will host two career fairs next week that are open to students and alumni.
The STEM Career Fair is from 1 to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the SIU Arena. Held each fall, the career fair provides an opportunity to connect with employers hiring in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. The University Career Fair will be from 1 to 5 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 20, also at the SIU Arena. Visit siu.joinhandshake.com to pre-register and see the list of visiting employers for both career fairs.
Industry areas include K-12 education; aerospace technology; automotive; banking; defense; food and beverage; internet and software; manufacturing, real estate, research and wholesale trade.
About 50 employers have registered with Career Services for the STEM Career Fair. Industry areas include K-12 education; aerospace technology; automotive; banking; defense; food and beverage; internet and software; manufacturing and research. The employers include Aisin Manufacturing Illinois, LLC; Banterra Bank; Boeing; Consolidated Electrical Distributors Inc; Cummins, Inc.; the Defense Intelligence Agency; Flight Safety International; Jasper Engines and Transmissions; The Korte Company, Vecro Blue Farms and the United States Transportation Command.
Nearly 70 employers registered for the University Career Fair. Employers include Academy for Urban School Leadership, Bankers Life, Bridgestone Tire Operations, LLC; Carbondale Police Department; Cushman & Wakefield; Federal Bureau of Prisons; Hormel Foods; Isle Casino Cape Girardeau; Pepsi MidAmerica; Southern Illinois Healthcare and West Point Financial Group.
For each fair, job seekers should bring multiple copies of their resumes and any other pertinent credentials, and should dress professionally.
For more information, contact Career Services at 618/453-2391 or by email at careerservices@siu.edu.

Severin Speaks with Students at Unity Christian

Press Release from the office of State Representative Dave Severin

 

MARION,  IL – State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) spoke to students and teachers at Unity Christian School on Monday as the school held a ceremony in honor of Patriot Day.

Rep. Severin talked about how incredible of a country the United States is and the importance of patriotism.

“There are still people in other countries that do not have electricity, running water, and other basic things we all take for granted have in our lives,” Severin said. “God has truly blessed the United States and it takes patriots to protect it. We saw this when police officers and firefighters rushed into those burning towers 16 years ago on September 11.”

The representative also spoke about his memory of 9/11 and what the day means to him.

“It is one of those days in our history where anyone you talk to will remember where they were when they heard the news. It was a terrible day, and one you cannot forget, but in the chaos we saw tremendous acts of patriotism which revealed the true character of our country.”

Remnants of Irma to bring rain, 15 to 25 MPH winds

The leading edge of steady rain is currently moving northwest across the southern Pennyrile region of west Kentucky and parts of southwest Indiana. This area of rain will continue to slowly move northwest through Tuesday morning and impact the rest of west Kentucky, southwest Indiana, southern Illinois, and southeast Missouri. Rainfall amounts will initially be around one tenth of an inch by 6 am CDT with greater rainfall amounts possible with heavier rainfall. (NWS Paducah)

…Remnants of Irma will bring gusty winds this morning…

 

…LAKE WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CDT TODAY…

* TIMING…Brisk winds will continue this morning.

* WINDS…Expect northeast winds to average around 15 mph, with
frequent gusts over 20 mph. Some gusts up to 30 mph are
possible, especially from the Kentucky Lakes region eastward to
the Pennyrile region of western Kentucky.

* IMPACTS…Small watercraft will be susceptible to capsizing or
taking on water. Expect numerous white caps on larger fetches of
water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Lake Wind Advisory indicates that winds will cause rough chop
on area lakes. Small boats will be especially prone to capsizing.

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

A Lake Wind Advisory is in effect for area boaters this morning.
Northeast winds could gust from 20 to 30 MPH at times. Please
refer to the Lake Wind Advisory product for details.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Wednesday through Monday

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

Seven Day Forecast

Tuesday
A slight chance of rain before 7am, then showers likely, mainly between 7am and 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 68. Northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night
A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 61. East northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.
Wednesday
A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 70. Light and variable wind.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Calm wind.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Light south southeast wind.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 63. South southeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 3 to 6 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 64. South southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Light south wind.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

 

Governor Signs Bryant Bill to Assist Volunteer Firefighters

Press Release from the office of State Represenative Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) 

State Rep. Terri Bryant and Sen. Paul Schimpf were recently named “Honorary Fire Chiefs” and were each presented with a white chief helmet engraved with their names by the Illinois Firefighters Association at a meeting of the Coal Belt Fire Protection Association.  The legislators are surrounded by members of the DeSoto Fire Department and officials from the Illinois Firefighters Association. (Rep. Bryant photo)

Murphysboro, IL State Representative Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) has announced that Governor Rauner has signed HB 771, a bill she sponsored that will provide assistance to volunteer firefighters with purchasing tires for their vehicles.

Bryant says that in the face of budget cuts, and a shortage of volunteers to join fire departments across the state, the signing of HB 771 will provide another incentive and much needed financial assistance.

“In Illinois, 70 percent of all firefighters are volunteers,” Bryant said. “This law will allow a volunteer firefighter to purchase one set of tires for their vehicle every three years at a reduced price per the fire district’s joint purchasing agreement. The goal is to provide a little bit of help to the folks that volunteer to fight fires and keep us safe. I’m particularly thankful to Senator Paul Schimpf for his advocacy and for sponsoring this bill in the Senate.”

Earlier this year, Representative Bryant and Senator Schimpf were named ‘Honorary Fire Chiefs’ by the Illinois Firefighters Association in recognition of their advocacy on issues of importance to firefighters across the State of Illinois. Margaret Vaughn is the Illinois Firefighters Association’s Director of Government Affairs. She offered her thanks to Representative Bryant and Senator Schimpf.

“Volunteer firefighters save our state millions of dollars annually which otherwise would have to be made up with tax revenue,” Vaughn said. “These volunteers are on call on their own time and often use their own vehicles to respond to an emergency. The Illinois Firefighters Association greatly appreciates all the hard work Rep. Bryant and Sen Schimpf put into getting this important legislation passed and thanks Governor Rauner for signing the measure into law.”

Council Approves Purchase Orders to Outfit New Police Vehicles

http://www.bentongazette.com/news/council-approves-purchase-orders-to-outfit-new-police-vehicles/article_e3d1cffa-933a-11e7-ae12-d70289b80f26.html

BENTON, IL – (William McPherson, Benton Gazette.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

– At the August 28 Benton city council meeting, Public Safety  Commissioner Don Story made a motion to approve purchase orders to outfit the Benton Police Department’s two new squad cars, which the city recently bought.

The purchases included two Feniex interior light bars for $499 apiece, two Feniex exterior rear light bars, also for $499 apiece, Infinity grill lights for $60, and Feniex hideaway lights for $74 apiece for a $592 total price, Feniex soundoff intersection lights for $296 apiece for a total of $593, Feniex  siren lights and controllers for $199 and siren speaker for $99. Total shipping cost was $55 for a final cost of $3,594.08. Motion seconded by Finance Commissioner Dennis Miller and passed 5-0.

Magnitude 3.1 earthquake shakes border of Illinois and Indiana

http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/nation/2017/09/09/magnitude-3-1-earthquake-shakes-border-illinois-and-indiana/649401001/

A 3.1 magnitude earthquake rattled communities along the Illinois-Indiana border late Friday. (Photo: Journal Sentinel)

(Don Behm, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is the message below.)

A minor earthquake late Friday disturbed residents along the border of Illinois and Indiana, 37 miles northwest of Evansville, Ind., the U.S. Geological Survey reported Saturday on the Earthquake Notification Service.

The 3.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded at 11:15 p.m. Friday about eight miles west of Mount Carmel, Ill., and 27 miles southwest of Vincennes, Ind., according to the National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, Colo.

The quake was felt by residents of communities in both states in the border region north of Interstate 64, including Mount Carmel, Bone Gap, West Salem and Albion, Ill.; as well as Owensville and Decker, Ind.

SIU Carbondale is among ‘Safest Colleges in America’

by Chirsti Mathis – Southern Illinois University News Service

CARBONDALE, IL  — Southern Illinois University Carbondale has earned a spot on the “Top 100 Safest Colleges in America 2017” rankings released recently by the National Council for Home Safety and Security.

SIU claimed the No. 86 ranking on the list compiled by the national trade association that includes licensed alarm installers, contractors and other related trade groups from across the United States. The organization evaluated nearly 2,200 four-year public and private colleges and universities using the most recent data available from the FBI’S Uniform Crime Reporting and the National Center for Education Statistics in order to create the rankings.

The statistics were weighted so that crimes such as murder/manslaughter, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, rape, motor vehicle theft, arson as well as crimes involving violence against women, including domestic violence and stalking, counted more than arrests for drug and liquor law violations and illegal weapons possessions. Both campus and local crimes were taken into account.

The rankings are featured on www.alarms.org, the council’s official website.

Gov. Rauner praises Illinois-Japan trade, investment partnership at start of MWJA Conference

‘Let’s send message that our continued economic growth is interdependent’

Press Release from the office of Governor Bruce Rauner

TOKYO – Gov. Bruce Rauner stressed the need to further strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship at today’s launch of the 49th Midwest U.S.-Japan Association Conference. The conference, which continues through Tuesday, unites business, education and government leaders in an effort to further trade and investment opportunities between the Midwest states and Japan.

“Japanese companies have been instrumental in creating jobs and driving economic development through the entire state of Illinois,” the governor said. “From Chicago to Shelbyville and Lawrenceville, from Marion to Mattoon, Japanese companies have made a tremendous impact on the economic growth of these towns. I am deeply grateful for the jobs and opportunities provided to the people of Illinois.”

The day began with a private breakfast with U.S. Ambassador to Japan William Hagerty. Shortly following, the governor met Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzō Abe before the MWJA Conference opening ceremony. This is the second time the governor has attended the conference.

Japan continues to be a high priority for federal direct investment. The governor and members of Illinois’ delegation spent part of the afternoon meeting with the clothing, manufacturer and retail company, Uniqlo. Uniqlo’s Chicago store is one of 630 Japanese businesses throughout Illinois.

“It is not that often that we gather together, but when we do, like for this conference, we unite with an unprecedented strength on economic growth,” Gov. Rauner said while addressing governors in attendance. “We need to send the message that our growth is interdependent.”

The governor said that while Midwest cooperation is necessary for expansion, Illinois is working to maintain its lead by continually working in close contact with Japan regarding foreign investment opportunities. The Illinois foreign trade office in Japan is a testament to Illinois’ commitment to the marketplace, as it’s one of the oldest state trade and investment offices in Japan, dating back 32 years.

Southern Illinois churches share evangelism experiences in Guatemala

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36335680/southern-illinois-churches-share-their-stories-of-evangelism-in-guatemala

The mission group from Southern Illinois in front of the FBC Woodlawn. (WSIL Photo)

(Erin Frey, WSIL TV.  Please click on the link for the full story and video Here is an excerpt below.  NOTE:  Grace Baptist Fellowship between Benton and West Frankfort participated in the mission trip.)

Grace Baptist Fellowship, the First Baptist Church of Woodlawn, and one home church group took two vans, and drove from Mt. Vernon to Chicago, before taking a four hour flight to El Salvador where they had a short layover.

After that, they took a thirty minute plane ride to Guatemala city, and stayed overnight at a mission house called the House of blessings..

The next day, a five hour bus ride got the group to their destination in Coatepeque.
There, they arrived at the First Baptist Church of Coatepeque, pastored by a man named Otto Echeverria.

“Being together, sharing time together, Talking about different experiences, and different ministries and different places,” Echeverria says is his mission.

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News