Here comes the heat again on Wednesday

July 24, 2017 By Leave a Comment

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
309 PM CDT Mon Jul 24 2017

Advisory: Special Weather statement …Heat and humidity will be a concern into mid week…

…Heat and humidity will be a concern into mid week…

With high temperatures around 90 degrees, heat index values of
100 to 105 degrees are expected Tuesday afternoon across southeast
Missouri, far west Kentucky and extreme southern Illinois. By
Wednesday, afternoon highs will reach the lower to middle 90s.
When combined with high humidity, these conditions will produce
heat indices of at least 100 to 105 degrees across the entire
region.

Heat index values in southeast Mi ssouri, far west Kentucky and
southwest Illinois could reach around 107 degrees Wednesday
afternoon. A heat advisory may be needed Wednesday if forecast
models continue to indicate these conditions.

Anytime it is hot and humid, take extra precautions if you work
or spend time outside. When possible…reschedule strenuous
activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and
symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light weight and
loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.
For full details, view this message on the web.

 

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Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Tom Miller interviews Governor Bruce Rauner on WJPF

July 24, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Newsradio WJPF interview with Gov. Bruce Rauner

CARTERVILLE, IL –  Above is the link to Tom Miller’s interview of Governor Bruce Rauner on WJPF.

Here are some highlights.  He had some strong words for Speaker of the House Mike Madigan over holding Illinois hostage with the school funding issue.  He called a special session in the senate for noon today.  He also called out Democrat State Represenatives Brandon Phelps (Norris City) and Jerry Costello II (Smithston) for voting for Madigan.

He discussed the Chicago school bailout.  He said it is not fair to Southern Illinois districts.  The governor will have an amendatory veto to Senate Bill 1, if he hasn’t already.

He also mentioned how there is a Democratic spin that he was the one who raised taxes.  Governor Rauner vetoed the tax increase as well as the spending bill.

The interview is nine minutes long.  It is well worth your time.  – Steve

 

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, State News

Real-time Traffic Info on I-57 Project Available on Getting Around Illinois Website

July 24, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release from Illinois Department of Transportation District 9

CARBONDALE, IL  – As part of its commitment to provide the public with the latest information to plan their trips, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is sharing additional details on travel conditions in the Interstate 57 work zone near Marion through the Getting Around Illinois website.

To access, simply click here and select the “D9” traffic layer. Green cones signify vehicles are moving freely, yellow cones represent moderate reductions in speeds, orange ones show an even greater reduction and red cones indicate traffic is stop and go. Clicking on each cone displays the average rate of speed in which traffic is moving on northbound I-57 and the approaching westbound lanes on Interstate 24. Clicking on the sign icons shows the messages currently being displayed to drivers via digital message boards.

The information is made possible through IDOT’s use of Smart Work Zones. The system utilizes sensors to relay traffic information in advance of a work zone so motorists are aware of any backups and can elect to use detours or seek alternate routes.

The I-57 project is the first time IDOT is expanding the technology to share information with the public online. The project currently consists of reconstructing the northbound lanes from approximately Marion to I-24. The southbound section was completed earlier this year. The entire project is scheduled to be completed this fall.

GettingAroundIllinois.com debuted 10 years ago and relaunched earlier this year in a mobile-friendly format. The site is a one-stop shop for visitors seeking traffic counts, road conditions, weather radar and other travel-related information.

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

Newsradio WJPF interview with Sen. Dale Fowler

July 24, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Newsradio WJPF interview with Sen. Dale Fowler

 

CARTERVILLE, IL  –  Here is a link to an interview Tom Miller, of WJPF conducted with Dale Fowler, State Senator of the 59th District (R-Harrisburg).

The discussion was on Senate Bill 1, in which Governor Rauner will sign an amendatory veto of.  He also goes into Senate Bill 1412, a Republican bill that brings more equity in school financing to Southern Illinois.

Senator Fowler also discusses the ACLU complaint filed against the Harrisburg Youth Center.  Please click on the link above.  It is very informative.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News

City Makes Final Payment on 9th Street Sidewalk Project

July 24, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wfgazette.com/news/city-makes-final-payment-on-th-street-sidewalk-project/article_412409c8-6eee-11e7-8461-73ad5e1750fd.html

WEST FRANKFORT, IL  (West Frankfort Gazette.  Please click on the link above to read the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

The City of West Frankfort wrapped up payments on a big sidewalk project at last Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

The City Council voted to approve a payment of an engineer’s final payment estimate, for K.R.B Excavation, INC. in the amount of $26,853 for work performed on the 9th Street Sidewalk Project. The motion to pay the estimate was made by Commissioner Tara Fasol-Chambers and approved with a unanimous vote.
Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, West Frankfort News

West City Water Tower Project Gets New Lease on Life

July 24, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.bentongazette.com/news/west-city-water-tower-project-gets-new-lease-on-life/article_bcd4e0a2-6cd6-11e7-a0d7-4f7c35e3cbb5.html

 

Benton Gazette photo

WEST CITY, IL – (William McPherson, Benton Gazette.  Please click on the link for the full story.)

West City Attorney Ronald Giacone reports that the Village’s proposed Water Tower Project received a favorable ruling recently in Washington D.C. but that there’s still work to be done before the issue is resolved.

The project had been brought to a halt due to a study which found the building permit to be in violation of FAA policy due to its’ proximity to the Benton Municipal Airport. One issue of contention for the Village Board, and for Benton Airport Board members has been the reported number of flights, said to be 22 per day, which allegedly take place at the Benton Airport. (www.airnav.com/airport/H96)

 

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

More seasonable weather today and Tues….Humidity and storms back for Wednesday.

July 24, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Though there will not be any heat advisories or warnings today, conditions will still be warm and humid, with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Tuesday will be similar to today, but with a slightly greater coverage of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. (NWS, Paducah)

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK has placed the counties from Route 13 North in a marginal risk for severe weather.

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY

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

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms may develop this afternoon and evening in
the southern half of the region. A stronger storm or two might
produce locally strong to marginally severe wind gusts. Heat
indices of around 100 are forecast this afternoon for parts of
southeastern Missouri and the Purchase area of Kentucky.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Tuesday through Sunday

Though heat indices may be around 100 in southern parts of the
region Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, the entire region may
have heat indices ranging from 100 to 105 Wednesday afternoon.

There is a chance of thunderstorms Tuesday, mainly for the
southern counties, and for the entire region Wednesday through
Friday. The storms may produce locally heavy rain and gusty winds.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation is not anticipated.

Detailed Forecast

weather.gov |

Today
Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 69. East northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind around 6 mph.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 70. East wind 3 to 5 mph.
Wednesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Light and variable wind becoming south around 6 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind 3 to 6 mph.
Thursday
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. South southwest wind around 6 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. North northeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
Friday
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. North northeast wind 3 to 7 mph.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. North northeast wind around 6 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 84. North northeast wind 6 to 8 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 63. North northeast wind 3 to 7 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 85. North northeast wind 5 to 7 mph
Filed Under: Franklin Co. News

WDQN signs back on at 5:30 a.m. this morning

July 24, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

On May 14th, WDQN, 1580-AM in DuQuoin, ceased operations.  The station would sign on the air occasionally to keep their FCC license in compliance.

This morning, at 5:30 a.m. the station signed back on the air.    The station will be managed in a partnership with two Perry County papers the Pinckneyville Press and the DuQuoin Weekly.

I spoke with the publisher of the Perry County publications, Jeff Egbert last night.  He said the tradition of the station with all local programming will exist that the Showalter family always had with the station.

In the past the format of the station has been “Top 80” with a mix of top 40 country and top 40 rock/pop.  Egbert said the playlist will be updated.

The playlist will be adult contemporary/lite rock in the daytime hours, with mixing in country in the evening hours.  The station will broadcast 24 hours now, with going to a classic rock format overnight.

The studio of WDQN in DuQuoin, from the station’s Facebook page. The station is located on the north edge of DuQuoin in the village of St. Johns

The Sunday Morning show will be changed to a Contemporary Christian format instead of Southern Gospel.  With WXAN in Ava very strong in the Perry County market, Egbert feels he can introduce more groups to the listeners such as the David Crowder Band, Skillet, Third Day, Casting Crowns, and Mercy Me.

Being a High School Sports guy, I asked about if the station would bring back DuQuoin High School sports.  Egbert said “definitely, Indian Football will be back on the air in week one.”  It is the plan that Steve Marek, the long time voice of the Indians will be at the mic.

I also asked Egbert about the FM signal of WDQN, 95.9, which Three Angels Broadcasting out of Thompsonville has programing on.  He said Three Angels purchased the frequency.  It has been assumed it was leased by several individuals.  It is his goal, however, to have the station one day simulcast on FM.

I am going to add an editorial comment here.  With the DuQuoin Evening Call now a weekly publication, WDQN is the only daily media outlet in Perry County.  There was a big hole in the Perry County media when the station went dark.

The last time I pulled up some numbers on our website I was amazed of the growth in Perry County.  Franklin County will be primary and it always will be, but you will see more coverage in the surrounding counties.

Like Perry County, there has been a whole in Franklin County with the Benton Evening News going to a weekly publication and the West Frankfort Daily American shutting its doors.  The Gazette in both towns really helped fill the gap.  WQRL and franklincounty-news.com are the only two daily sources of news in this county.

I am green in the media business.  One thing I have observed, and the majority of seasoned people in this business that I have picked their mind agree.  Strong media sources strengthen the other.  With WDQN back on the air, it will make this website and other publications and media outlets across Southern Illinois stronger.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, Slider

Strong storms roll through the region overnight

July 23, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

There was a line of strong storms that rolled through the region in the overnight hours.  The storms prompted Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in the counties along I-64.  There was a Tornado Warning issued for Wabash County as rotation was detected in the Mt. Carmel area.

There were power outages across the county overnight.  At this time, Ameren Illinois’ website is reporting 68 homes in Franklin County that are still without power.  Most of them are south of Christopher near Yellowbanks Road, in the Lake Moses area, and a few in the village of Orient.  Southeastern Illinois Electric Co-op is showing scattered outages in the Southwest part of the county.

There were no damage reports across the county, but there are several reports of small limbs and brush down.  Regionally, there was a 59 mph. wind gust reported at Mt. Vernon Outland Airport, and trees and power lines down in the Dix area.

The heat will be with us for one more day.  Here are some of the heat indices reported across Southern Illinois yesterday afternoon.

…Peak heat index reports for Saturday through 4 PM…

Location                     Temp      Time/Date       Provider

…Illinois…

…Alexander County…
Cairo                        109 F     0415 PM 07/22   AWOS
Bean Ridge                   107 F     0208 PM 07/22   RAWS
2 ESE East Cape Girardea     106 F     0325 PM 07/22   MESOWEST

…Franklin County…
Christopher                  110 F     0225 PM 07/22   AWS
Zeigler                      103 F     0210 PM 07/22   MESOWEST

…Jackson County…
Southern Illinois Airport    106 F     0152 PM 07/22   ASOS
1 N Carbondale               104 F     1115 AM 07/22   AWS

…Jefferson County…
Mt Vernon/outland Airport    114 F     0156 PM 07/22   AWOS
Dix                          111 F     0313 PM 07/22   CWOP
2 ENE Mount Vernon           107 F     0130 PM 07/22   AWS

…Johnson County…
Vienna                       110 F     1109 AM 07/22   AWS
Goreville                    109 F     1139 AM 07/22   AWS

…Massac County…
Metropolis                   110 F     0215 PM 07/22   AWOS

…Perry County…
Du Quoin                     107 F     1220 PM 07/22   AWS

…Pope County…
Dixon Springs                114 F     1208 PM 07/22   RAWS

…Saline County…
Harrisburg                   113 F     0255 PM 07/22   AWOS
Harrisburg                   107 F     0240 PM 07/22   AWS

…Wabash County…
Mount Carmel                 106 F     0404 PM 07/22   AWS

…Wayne County…
Fairfield                    110 F     0315 PM 07/22   AWOS
Fairfield                    109 F     0326 PM 07/22   CWOP

…White County…
Carmi                        110 F     0335 PM 07/22   AWOS

…Williamson County…
Crab Orchard                 109 F     1248 PM 07/22   RAWS
Williamson County Rgnl Airpt 107 F     0245 PM 07/22   AWOS
Crainville                   107 F     0130 PM 07/22   AWS
Marion                       105 F     0115 PM 07/22   AWS

 

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Florida man jailed over bomb threat to Sesser-Vailer schools

July 22, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release by Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones

Sheriff Don Jones announces the arrest of Gabriel Isaiah Estrada Age 19of Fort Walton Beach Florida. The arrest occurred Wednesday, July 19th in Florida. Estrada is being charged with making two bomb threats that closed the Sesser-Valier Schools February 21st, 2016 and January 17th, 2017 as well as other crimes in Franklin County. Earlier this week, a Detective with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and a Detective with the Benton Police Department traveled to Okaloosa County, Florida to participate in his arrest with officers from the Okaloosa County
Sheriff’s Office.

Estrada was recently indicted by the Franklin County Grand Jury for falsely making a terrorist threat (Class 1 felony), disorderly conduct (Class 3 felony), intimidation of a minor (Class 3 Felony), and harassment of a minor by electronic means (Class 4 felony). Estrada is currently being held in the Okaloosa County Jail pending an extradition hearing. It is anticipated that he will be transported to Franklin County, Illinois in the very near future.

This investigation is ongoing and more charges are anticipated. There are currently no charges pending in Florida against Estrada.

This investigation is a complex forensic computer and other electronic media investigation and has been ongoing for a number of months. The Sheriff’s Office gratefully acknowledges the assistance and cooperation of the following agencies, without which this outcome would not have been possible: The Benton Police Dept., Sesser Police Dept., The United States Marshall’s Service and the Okaloosa County Florida Sheriff’s office.

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