Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
Henry Leeck, Dean of Liberal Arts, FRONT, leads a group of incoming freshmen across Rend Lake College’s campus Saturday morning during Warrior Day. The students visited different buildings, based on their majors and course selections.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Democrats practicing for the Congressional Baseball Game scheduled for Thursday night prayed for their Republican counterparts after at least five people were injured as they prepared for the charity game Wednesday. (Washington Examiner photo)
The second half of the Glider and RC Flight Camp practiced their flying skills with FPV (first-person view) quadcopters in the RLC Rec. Pictured is, FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT, Bobby White of Mt. Vernon, Lucas McCuvvins of Sesser, and Adam Parks of Mt. Vernon; BACK ROW, RC Flight Club President Dave Black of Mt. Vernon, Colton Burke of Woodlawn, Nathan Ragland of Sesser, and RC Flight Club member Bob Trober of Du Quoin.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
INA, IL – The first week of Kids Summer Camps at Rend Lake College featured many different activities for campers, such as using their creativity to make delicious desserts or unique crafts, or spending their day being active and learning about health and nutrition. Some campers also got the chance to be up close and personal with local professionals, such as the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the RC Flight Club. Campers participated in Art Exploration, Bertie Ham’s Chefs of Tomorrow, Glider and RC Flight, Junior Law Enforcement Academy, and Let’s Get Fit camps.
Benton’s Camden Overturf, LEFT, and Waltonville’s Gunner England focused on creating unique designs during Art Exploration camp Monday afternoon.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
INA, IL- The first week of Kids Summer Camps at Rend Lake College featured many different activities for campers, such as using their creativity to make delicious desserts or unique crafts, or spending their day being active and learning about health and nutrition. Some campers also got the chance to be up close and personal with local professionals, such as the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the RC Flight Club. Campers participated in Art Exploration, Bertie Ham’s Chefs of Tomorrow, Glider and RC Flight, Junior Law Enforcement Academy, and Let’s Get Fit camps.
Eight campers joined RLC Rec Director Tyler O’Daniel for Let’s Get Fit camp Wednesday morning for kickball action and learning about nutrition. Pictured is, FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT, Victoria Drew of Benton, Makayla Daugherty of Coello, Abigail Johnson of Whittington, and Lilianne Johnson of Whittington; BACK ROW, Charlie Schupe of Mt. Vernon, Tony Kistner of Scheller, Colton Burke of Woodlawn, and Bobby White of Mt. Vernon.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
INA, IL –The first week of Kids Summer Camps at Rend Lake College featured many different activities for campers, such as using their creativity to make delicious desserts or unique crafts, or spending their day being active and learning about health and nutrition. Some campers also got the chance to be up close and personal with local professionals, such as the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the RC Flight Club. Campers participated in Art Exploration, Bertie Ham’s Chefs of Tomorrow, Glider and RC Flight, Junior Law Enforcement Academy, and Let’s Get Fit camps.
A dozen campers created their own patterns on craft sticks during Art Exploration with instructor Sharon Corn, SECOND FROM RIGHT, Monday afternoon. Campers pictured are, FROM LEFT, Annabelle Levault of Sesser, Phoebe Woodrow of Springerton, Emma Rapp of Dahlgren, and Makayla Daugherty of Coello.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
INA, IL The first week of Kids Summer Camps at Rend Lake College featured many different activities for campers, such as using their creativity to make delicious desserts or unique crafts, or spending their day being active and learning about health and nutrition. Some campers also got the chance to be up close and personal with local professionals, such as the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the RC Flight Club. Campers participated in Art Exploration, Bertie Ham’s Chefs of Tomorrow, Glider and RC Flight, Junior Law Enforcement Academy, and Let’s Get Fit camps.
By Jim Muir
A Franklin County Grand Jury has handed down indictments against four people who are accused of possessing and delivering illegal drugs from their Benton business.
Daniel Schmechel, 46, and Cindy Schmechel, 44, both of Mount Vernon, are owners of The Smoke Break, located at 601 West Main St. are both facing a 13-count indictment charging them with unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
Dorothy Williams, 62, of Valier, and Erin Williams, 30, of Mount Vernon are also accused of unlawfully delivering and possessing controlled substances or controlled substance analogs.
The indictments came as a result of a joint investigation between Benton, West City and state police, Southern Illinois Drug Task Force and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
The alleged offenses took place within 1,000 feet of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, making the charges each a Class 2 felony.
Law enforcement officers from Illinois State Police, Benton Police Department, West City Police Department and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department converged on The Smoke Break last week armed with a search warrant. The search warrant was obtained based on information conducted by state police and the Benton Police Department.
The Smoke Break has been the scene of police raids in the past. Last year law enforcement officers searched the business as part of an investigation centered around allegations into the alleged delivery of a controlled substance analog or synthetic drug. Bath salts, spice and incense are oftentimes sold as a synthetic drug, which is illegal in the state of Illinois.
Sales of the drugs are illegal in the state.
The Schmechels each posted $15,000 bond and have a first court appearance set for Sept. 3 at 1:30 p.m. at the Franklin County Courthouse.
Dorothy Williams and Erin Williams each posted a $2,000 cash bond. Dorothy Williams is also set for a first appearance at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 3, and Erin Williams will appear Aug. 27 at 1:30 p.m.
