OCTOBER LIKE WEATHER FOR YOUR FRIDAY

August 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY
331 AM CDT Fri Aug 4 2017

ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087-
100-107>112-114-051000-
Jefferson-Wayne IL-Edwards-Wabash-Perry IL-Franklin-Hamilton-
White-Jackson-Williamson-Saline-Gallatin-Union-Johnson-Pope-
Hardin-Alexander-Pulaski-Massac-Gibson-Pike-Posey-Vanderburgh-
Warrick-Spencer-Fulton-Hickman-Carlisle-Ballard-McCracken-Graves-
Livingston-Marshall-Calloway-Crittenden-Lyon-Trigg-Caldwell-
Union KY-Webster-Hopkins-Christian-Henderson-Daviess-McLean-
Muhlenberg-Todd-Perry MO-Bollinger-Cape Girardeau-Wayne MO-Carter-
Ripley-Butler-Stoddard-Scott-Mississippi-New Madrid-
331 AM CDT Fri Aug 4 2017

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

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms will push out of west Kentucky this
morning. Locally heavy rainfall and lightning will be the primary
concerns.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Saturday through Thursday

A chance of thunderstorms returns to the region late Saturday
night and continues over most of the region through Monday. The
best chances will be Sunday into Sunday night, when a few strong
to severe storms cannot be ruled out. Heavy rainfall and lightning
will be the most prevalent threats through the period.

Small chances of thunderstorms will linger Monday night through
Thursday, mainly over far southern and southeastern portions of
the region. Locally heavy rainfall and lightning will be the
primary concerns.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation is not anticipated.

$$

Detailed Forecast

weather.gov
Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Northwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 57. North northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday
Increasing clouds, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night
A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Light southeast wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 79. South southeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 66. East southeast wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.
Monday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. North wind 3 to 6 mph.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. North northeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind 3 to 7 mph.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. North northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. North northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. North wind 3 to 5 mph.

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

RLC Glo Bingo event raising money for Learning Resource Center

August 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment

INA, IL – Rend Lake College staff and the RLC Foundation are teaming up to raise money to make improvements to the college’s Learning Resource Center library with a Glo Bingo event next month. Locals are invited to have dinner and play bingo at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at the RLC Rec, located on the Ina campus.

The Glo Bingo dinner features chicken and dumplings, salad, corn, tea and lemonade, and will be served from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. for $10 per ticket. The Franklin County 4-H Federation is partnering to provide the meal. Additional concessions will be available throughout the evening.

After dinner, attendees can purchase Glo Bingo tickets for $25, which includes six bingo cards, a glow hat, and a glow dabber. Games will begin at 7 p.m. Additional bingo cards are available for purchase for $5 per six cards. Attendees who plan to eat dinner and play bingo can purchase a meal ticket and the bingo pack for a discounted rate of $30 total.

Competitors will have the chance to win over $1,000 in cash prizes. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, silent auction, and early bird and middle bird raffle games at the door.
Seats for the event are limited. No outside food or beverages are allowed. Glo Bingo participants must be over the age of 18. For more information or to purchase advance tickets, contact the Learning Resource Center at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1308. For groups interested in participating, tables can be reserved by calling ahead for advance ticket purchases.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Eclipse Preparation Underway at IDOT

August 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Agency working with law enforcement, public asked to plan ahead

IDOT estimating 200,000 to visit Southern Illinois

Press Release from the Illinois Department of Transportation

SPRINGFIELD – Although the sun might go missing for a little while, the Illinois Department of Transportation promises to stay active leading up to the solar eclipse to make sure traffic keeps moving and the traveling public remains safe. Carbondale is in the path of the total eclipse, making it one of the prime viewing areas in the country for the Aug. 21 event. The rest of the state will experience a partial eclipse of approximately 90 percent.

“The Illinois Department of Transportation is proud to be one of several state agencies teaming up to make sure that Illinois is prepared to host this historic occasion,” Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn said. “We also need the public to do its part. By following a few basic guidelines, the eclipse can be safe and exciting for everyone.”  

Up to 200,000 people are expected to visit southern Illinois to view the eclipse and take part in local festivities in the days leading up to it.

Unlike some states, Illinois is placing no special restrictions on truck activities due to the eclipse.  To help with traffic flow, lane closures on major IDOT projects in the southern part of the state will be temporarily lifted during the weekend before the eclipse and the following day. Throughout the state, digital message boards will be used to communicate traffic and safety messages.

The department also is coordinating with Illinois State Police and local law enforcement to ensure that traffic control points are appropriately staffed. 

If you are traveling during the eclipse, here are some common sense tips:

  • Plan ahead: Do not expect to park and view the eclipse from the side of the road.

  • Anticipate increased pedestrian and bike traffic near popular viewing areas.

  • Do not wear special viewing glasses or take photos of the eclipse while driving.

  • On the day of the eclipse, drive with your headlights on.

  • Use the Getting Around Illinois website to get the latest on traffic conditions.

To help answer questions about the eclipse, IDOT has created a special page on its website.

Here is a link to a story from KFVS -TV interviewing IDOT District 9 director Keith Miley about the eclipse

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/36043991/idot-urges-traffic-safety-during-total-solar-eclipse

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

BCHS BOARD PURCHASES FOUR NEW BUSSES

August 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.bentongazette.com/news/high-school-board-leases-four-buses/article_7bbf29c8-76f5-11e7-9638-7b35009b03a9.html

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

The Benton Consolidated High School District 103 Board of Education approved leasing four buses Thursday to replace four older models in its fleet.

“These are 2016 models with approximately 15,000 miles on each,” Superintendent Aaron Mattox said. “Leasing comes with a substantial savings and the buses will be safer than what we currently have.”

In other business, Secretary Lisa Price asked if the school’s science labs were equipped for dual credit courses. “I think there was something about the labs preventing us from offering the classes,” Price said. “We’ve spent quite a bit on athletics recently. I think we should look at spending on the science labs.”

 

Filed Under: Benton News, Breaking News, Slider

CHANCE OF STORMS THIS AFTERNOON, OVERNIGHT…HIGHS IN THE LOWER 80’S FRI. – WED.

August 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment

 By Steve Dunford

Funnel Cloud that was south of Ina yesterday afternoon. (photo from Jason Crawford’s Facebook page)

This was a weak funnel cloud that was around Rend Lake College yesterday afternoon.  First of all, I do not want anyone to panic.  I am not implying there is a tornado threat.  I answered a few questions about this yesterday.

I was asked if there was any threat of this touching down.  It was very minimal.  If it did, it would have been a weak F-0.  It would have broke some small limbs, blew trash cans and lawn furniture around, and might have blown an unanchored trampoline into a tree.

Right above it is a very small wall cloud.  If this was a stronger funnel, you could tell the rotation from the naked eye.  There was not enough rotation on radar, or the storm spotters that was on the storm to prompt a Tornado Warning for Southern Jefferson, or even Northern Franklin County.

Let me remind you that I am not a meteorologist.  I took some meteorology courses at SIU as electives, I am an Elite Storm Spotter with the National Weather Service, and have taken several weather seminars.

Also from yesterday’s storm, there was some wind damage reported south of Johnston City, and pea size hail in the Carbondale area.

For today, we could see some pop up storms, just like yesterday afternoon.  In the Hazardous Weather Outlook, the National Weather Service of Paducah KY, has stated that some storms could pulse up to near severe levels.  However, the Storm Prediction Center, has taken us out of the marginal level for severe weather.  I could see the possibility of that changing.

Tonight there will be showers and thunderstorms forming in front of an advancing cold front.  The storms will move from a northwest to southeasterly direction.  The storms have been moving this way for a month now.  Just off of observation, I believe we could be in for an early fall.

After the front passes, Friday and Saturday will be perfect, with highs around 80 degrees.  There are chances of showers and thunderstorms on Sunday and Wednesday.  At this time, nothing severe.

Here is the Hazardous Weather Outlook and the seven day forecast below.

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY
323 AM CDT Thu Aug 3 2017

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

Widely scattered thunderstorms are expected throughout the region
this afternoon. A few storms may pulse up and produce near severe
level hail and wind gusts, but the primary concerns will be
locally heavy rainfall and lightning.

As a cold front approaches tonight, scattered to numerous
thunderstorms are expected to move southeast into the region
around midnight and then to near the Ohio River by daybreak.
Locally heavy rainfall and lightning will be the primary concerns.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Friday through Wednesday

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected to move through
west Kentucky Friday morning. Locally heavy rainfall and lightning
will be the primary concerns.

A chance of thunderstorms is forecast late Saturday night through
Tuesday, mainly across western Kentucky, southeast Missouri, and
extreme southern Illinois. The chance of storms will expand across
the rest of the region Wednesday. The main hazards with any
storms will be locally heavy rain and dangerous lightning.

Today
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
Tonight
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Friday
A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 7 to 9 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 57. North northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming south southeast around 5 mph.
Saturday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. East southeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
Sunday
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South southeast wind around 5 mph becoming north northeast after midnight.
Monday
Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. North northwest wind 3 to 6 mph.
Tuesday Night
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. East northeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
Wednesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 3 to 6 mph.

 

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

Bost Bill to Overhaul VA Appeals Process Passes Senate

August 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment

By George O’ Connor, Communications director for Congressman Mike Bost

Washington, D.C. Today, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL) applauded the unanimous Senate passage of legislation he authored to modernize the appeals process at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Bost introduced the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (H.R. 2288) in May and helped guide it to quick passage in the House later that month. After minor technical changes were made in the Senate, the legislation is expected to head back to the House for a vote on final passage in September.

“I applaud Republicans and Democrats in the Senate for passing this critical legislation,” said Bost. “For too long our veterans and their families have faced unacceptable delays during the VA’s benefits claims appeal process. There are currently hundreds of thousands of veterans still waiting on a decision from VA. This simply is unacceptable. We need to get this legislation to the President’s desk for signature as quickly as possible.”

Background:
The Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 would create three “lanes” for veterans’ appeals, including the “Local Higher Level Review Lane” in which an adjudicator reviews the same evidence considered by the original claims processor; the “New Evidence Lane,” in which the veteran could submit new evidence for review and have a hearing; and the “Board Lane,” in which jurisdiction for the appeal would transfer immediately to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, National News, State News

A few storms may produce small hail and gusty winds this afternoon

August 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
221 PM CDT Wed Aug 2 2017

As the afternoon progresses, a few storms across parts of southern
Illinois, west Kentucky, southwest Indiana, and southeast Missouri
may produce hail ranging from one quarter of an inch to just less
than an inch in size, as well as isolated wind gusts between 40
and 50 mph.

The best chances of seeing stronger storms will be along and north
of a line from Poplar Bluff Missouri, onward to Eddyville Illinois
and Greenville Kentucky.

In addition to the hail and wind gusts, brief heavy rain and
lightning can be expected.

The potential for hail and gusty winds should diminish markedly
after 600 pm CDT.

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Status on school closings for the eclipse

August 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

After being in contact with each school district in the county, all Franklin County  schools have made the decision to close for Monday, August 21st.  A representative for BCHS said I should have an answer by tomorrow.   The first official day of school at Sesser-Valier is the 22nd.

John A. Logan College and Southern Illinois University have decided to cancel classes as well.  Rend Lake College will be in session on that day.

Rend Lake College will be in session on the 21st.

Outside of Franklin County, Johnston City and Marion will not be in session that day.  I will post a running list of cancellations every few days on the website.

I would appreciate if someone would share if your school, business, or organization will be altering schedules or plans for this day.  You can call me at 937-0253, call or text at 513-1274, e-mail me at sdunford1970@hotmail.com, or send me a message on Facebook.

 

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

First Responders: don’t block shoulders eclipse weekend

August 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment

https://www.franklincounty-news.com/2017/08/02/first-responders-dont-block-shoulders-eclipse-weekend/

DU QUOIN, IL – (Andrew Feather, WSIL, TV.  Please click on the link for the full story above and the video.  Here is an excerpt below.

Illinois Emergency crews want drivers to remember not to clog the roads the weekend of the eclipse.
With the tens of thousands of people expected to come to southern Illinois for the eclipse next month, traffic will be a major concern.

Stop-and-go, bumper-to-bumper traffic is expected on several roads throughout the region, congested with visitors in town for the event.

But with the frustration that traffic can bring comes the hazard of clogging up roadways for first responders looking to get to an emergency.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

RLC’s tuition-free Concert Band and Choir seeking musicians

August 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by ReAnne Palmer, Rend Lake College Public Information

INA, IL – Talented performers are needed in Rend Lake College’s Fall 2017 Concert Band and Concert Choir. The two ensembles are tuition free, and are the perfect elective for music and instrumental majors, as well as any students interested in performing on stage.

Under the director of Sara Alstat, RLC Music Associate Professor, the Concert Choir (MUSI 1159) is a vocal ensemble that performs in concerts and at college functions throughout the semester. The course is designed to provide a performing outlet for talented musicians. The choir rehearses from 12 – 12:50 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in the Learning Resource Center (LRC), Room 107.

Also under Alstat, the Concert Band (MUSI 1161) provides a playing outlet for experienced band musicians and includes at least one concert per semester. The band rehearses from 11 – 11:50 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, also in the LRC, Room 107. This semester, students will perform at the Fall Concert, set for 7 p.m. Thursday, November 9 in the RLC Theatre.

Both courses are available to any student or community member over the age of 16. If you don’t have an instrument for the band – don’t worry – RLC has a number of instruments for students to use. One credit hour can be earned for each ensemble.

Alstat, also a faculty advisor, is available to help students schedule the ensemble electives this summer. For more information about the Concert Band or Concert Choir, contact Alstat at alstats@rlc.edu or 618-201-2044

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, Slider
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