by Steve Dunford

There were pleas from a few elected officials to get out and about this weekend.

The projections of hundreds of thousands of people were off base.  There have been tie ups of traffic in the Pacific Northwest in which is guaranteed no cloud cover.  I wonder if national and international tourists changed plans.

The search of eclipse glasses seem to be the big story here in Franklin County.  Last night, some were going for as high as $50 on some yard sale social media sites.

There is a chance of storms today that could hurt the amount to this area.  The Shawnee National forest had the most people in Southern Illinois, as the Garden of the God’s recreation area had to be closed with the weekend crowd.

The strip of Western Kentucky from Paducah to the Fort Campbell area experienced a lot of tourists, especially in the Land Between the Lakes area.

The Marion Republican reported an increase in traffic at Veteran’s Airport, formerly Williamson County Airport.  Scanner traffic was busy with planes landing yesterday morning.  They are using one runway dedicated to parking planes.

I will continue to monitor the situation, as people began to leave the area this afternoon, as traffic on northbound I-57, and State Routes 148 and 37 could be heavy.

 

 

Larry Burroughs, 68, of Mulkeytown passed away on Sunday August 6, 2017 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

He was born on July 6, 1949 in Christopher to William “Bill” and Teresa (Poteau) Burroughs.  He married Diane (Martin) Burroughs and she survives of Mulkeytown.

Other survivors include his children Kevin Burroughs, Melinda Delauder and Ashley Cline (Corey Thomas); grandchildren Dallas Lively, Lexie Lively, Dakota Eubanks; one great grandchild Bailee Nicole Thomas; brothers and sisters David Burroughs, Jerry Burroughs, Jimmy Burroughs, Lorraine Wilson, and Jeanette (Bobby) Keith.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Danny Burroughs, and one sister Diane Carlisle.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday August 11, 2017 at 1:00 PM at the Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is assisting the family with arrangements.

http://www.ksdk.com/sports/mlb/cardinals/cusumano-the-yadi-matheny-drama-continues/461533693

ST. LOUIS, MO –  (Frank Cusumano, KSDK-TV.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

I like Yadier Molina. I like the way he encourages pitchers. He’s almost affectionate with them; the arm around them, the pat on the back, and the smile. If I were a pitcher, I would want to throw to that man.

He’s not exactly media friendly. He’s not rude. He’s just not talkative or outgoing. He never gives good soundbites. However, that’s okay. We do a feature on him during Spring Training and get a few sound bites during the year and that’s about it. I have been around him for 12 years but don’t really know him. He seems like he is a great father too.

The amazing thing to me is how he can turn on Matheny. This is the manager who plays him more than any catcher in baseball. This is the manager who bats him fifth when he shouldn’t bat fifth. This is the manager who literally groomed to take his own job. This is the manager who never ever says anything negative about Yadi. No one has ever defended Yadi more than Matheny.

Molina is thinking Cooperstown. And that’s not wrong. However, the Cardinals have to think about what is best for the franchise. Playing Yadier Molina at age 36 or 37 with 150 games a year is probably not best.

Doris Pauline (Holman) Douglas died on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at Helia Health Care of Benton IL.
Doris was born January 18, 1931 to Fern (Fields) and Edgar Holman. She attended Benton High School and graduated at age 17,  being the first of her siblings to do so

She then worked in Mt. Vernon living with her Aunt Daisy and Uncle John. That is where she met and married Gilbert Junior Douglas on May 29, 1949.

Doris was employed most her career as a bookkeeper, working last at the State Bank of Whittington from which she retired at age 64. Her church home was Rescue Free Will Baptist Church.

Doris had four children, Teresa (Jack) Brown of Carterville, Debby (Jack) Strandlund of Phoenix, AZ, Steven Douglas(Deceased) and Susan-Randy Flowers of Benton. Three granddaughters, Mary (Shonda) Brown of Carterville, Ciara (Sean) Hull of Tucson, AZ; and Brooke Webb of Christopher.  She also had four great-granddaughters Layla and Deanna Hull of Tucson, Mia Zeigler and Kayla Webb; two sisters- Mary Cook & husband Gary & Joyce Gilbert & husband Bill. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews that she loved very much.

Doris was preceded in death by Gilbert Douglas, son Steven Douglas, Parents-Fern and Edgar Holman, Sister and Brother-in-law Carl and Louise Williams,brother Stanley and sister-in-law Mary Helen Holman, brother and sister-in-law Russell and Jane Holman, sister Sharon Burton, Brother-in-law & sister-in-law Pat & Leon Douglas, Niece Janice Gilbert, Nephew Jason Bailey.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, August 3rd, at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Doug Munton officiating. Burial will be in the Williams Chapel Cemetery in Ewing. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. Thursday at the funeral home.

For more information or to signt he online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

From the Southern Illinois Miners

The Southern Illinois Miners announce that they will hold their second annual “Stand Up For Blue” Law Enforcement Appreciation Night, sponsored by AmVets and WSIL-TV 3, at Rent One Park on Thursday, August 10th when they take on the Normal CornBelters at 7:05 p.m., honoring and recognizing the contributions made to the region by law enforcement officers.

“We are very excited to be bringing back Stand Up For Blue night again this year,” Miners manager and COO Mike Pinto said. “The Miners have a deep connection with law enforcement- eight of our former players are in law enforcement, including three from last season who joined police departments. Not to mention our first base coach and advance scout John Lakin, who is a career officer and now the Sheriff of Madison County. These heroes put their lives on the line each day and we are thrilled to be honoring them.”

More than 6,400 fans from our region came out to recognize local law enforcement last season for the first “Stand Up For Blue” Night in 2016. As part of the promotion this year, all law enforcement officers attending the game will receive free admission for themselves and a guest. All fans are also encouraged to wear blue that night, with the first 1,500 fans receiving a “Stand Up For Blue” t-shirt compliments of Midwest Office Supply and First Southern Bank at the front gate. ALL tickets for the evening will be $5, with half of the proceeds being donated to the James Brockmeyer Memorial Fund, named after officer James Brockmeyer of the Chester Police Department, who was killed in a crash in pursuit of a suspect last October.

Also, 1,000 “Back The Badge” bracelets, compliments of Fowler Heating & Air, will be distributed. Local heroes from the law enforcement community will also throw out ceremonial first pitches, including officers Chris Robinson and Cale Bastien from the Du Quoin Police Department, who saved the life of an infant who was not breathing on February 5th of this year, and officers Ryan Prather and Travis Morgan of the Carterville Police Department as well as officer Sean Dobbins of the Crainville Police Department, who rescued a man whose truck had fallen on top of him on February 8th. The current Miners players will don blue wristbands and blue socks as they play the game, along with caps from local police departments.

All fans in attendance will also be given a blank “Stand Up For Blue” placard, and they are encouraged to write the name of a friend or family member who works in law enforcement. This will be part of an on-field recognition in the fifth inning. For more information, contact the Miners’ box office at (618) 998-8499.

The Southern Illinois Miners are the 2016 Frontier League West Division Champions, the 2014 and 2015 Frontier League East Division Champions and the 2012 Frontier League Champions. They have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year award three times since their inception, and also set a new Frontier League attendance record in 2007, their inaugural season. For ticket information, contact the Rent One Park box office at (618) 998-8499. For any additional information, visit our website at www.southernillinoisminers.com.

 

Press Release from the St. Louis Cardinals

Gates open at 4:45 p.m.

• Charlie Brown and Peanuts 50th Anniversary Theme Night: 2017 is the 50th Anniversary of You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown! Join us at the ballpark to celebrate the birthday of your favorite Peanuts character on Charlie Brown Night. Fans who purchase the special theme ticket will receive an exclusive Cardinals-themed Charlie Brown bobblehead. Fans must present the voucher in order to receive this promotional item. For more info, or to purchase tickets, visit cardinals.com/theme. (#CardsTheme)
• Piscotty’s Pals: Stephen Piscotty will host a group from Warren County Handicapped Services, Inc. for today’s game as part of his Piscotty’s Pals player ticket program. Prior to the game, the group will get to watch batting practice from the field and meet with Stephen in the dugout to take pictures and ask questions.
• MLBPAA Auction: The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association will conduct a baseball-themed silent auction by Gate 1 (Section 137) and Gate 3 from the time gates open through the fifth inning. All proceeds will benefit Cardinals Care and the Players Alumni Association, a non-profit group that strives to preserve the game of baseball while supporting a variety of charities.