Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
Lawmakers return to Springfield on Tuesday, poised to override Gov. Pat Quinn’s rewrite of a proposed law allowing concealed carry of firearms, but his actions and those of his potential rivals have created a conundrum for many Downstate Democrats in the early stages of the 2014 race for governor.
Here’s the link to the story in the Chicago Tribune.
| SPECIES | RATING | BAIT OF CHOICE | SUGGESTED LOCATIONS | REGULATIONS |
| LARGEMOUTH BASS | Good | Worms, black and blue jigs, minnows. | Fish in shallow bays near brush cover and bushes. Fish around bridges and along the rocks. Reports of fish being caught around Jackie Branch and Sandusky cove. | 14” minimum length limit, 6 daily creel limit. 1 fish daily creel limit in PONDS 14” minimum length. |
| CRAPPIE
|
Good | Jigs are working well. Quarter-Ounce pink and white tub jigs. Small & Medium Minnows. Meal worms. | Fish are in flooded brushy areas (set bait 2’ deep). Reports of fish being caught shallow in buck brush in any cove and also deep water (8’-17’) around brush piles. Try the Gun Creek Area. From shore fish near structures, hot spots are Jackie Branch, Sandusky, and Marcum Coves, and North Marcum Boat Ramp. | 25 fish daily creel limit with no more than 10 fish 10 inches or longer |
| BLUEGILL
|
Excellent | Crickets, worms, wax worms, meal worms. | Fish in the back of necks in shallow water or along rocks. Hot spot off the rocks under the sailboat harbor bridge in 1-4 ft of water. | 10 fish daily creel limit in PONDS. |
| CHANNEL
CATFISH
|
Excellent | Sonny’s stink bait, Hoss’s Hawg Bait, leeches, night crawlers, and large minnows. | Creeks running into the lake are hot spots. Also try the Waltonville Dam, Turnip Patch, Jackie Branch, and North Sandusky Day Use Area. Set line 3-4’ from the shore over rocks. Try leeches in moving water. | 6 fish daily creel limit in PONDS.
Jugs must be attended at all times while fishing. |
| WHITE BASS | Good | Worms, black and blue jigs, minnows. | Fish in shallow bays near brush cover and bushes. Fish around bridges and along the rocks. Reports of fish being caught around Jackie Branch and Sandusky cove. | 20 fish creel limit.
No more than 3 fish 17” or longer daily |
| Information as of: 07/08/2013
LAKE LEVEL: 410.33 AVERAGE POOL FOR THIS DATE: 406.73 WATER TEMP: 77°F |
Use of a minnow seine, cast net, or shad scoop for bait collecting within 1000 yards downstream of the Rend Lake dam and spillway is prohibited.
Maps of the Fish Attractor tree locations along with GPS readings are available at the Rend Lake Corps of Engineers Project Office. Contact Molly Rawlinson for more information at (618)724-2493. In order to maintain a cleaner recreation area, anglers and bow fishermen fishing below the dam are asked to return dead rough fish to the water.
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Saluki Athletics and Southern Illinois Healthcare announced today that the 2013 Black Out Cancer game is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28 when the SIU football team hosts Youngstown State at 6 p.m.
The third annual Black Out Cancer event will again feature a jersey auction. Fans can bid to place their name or the name of a loved one affected by cancer on the back of one of the 80 special black jerseys the Salukis will wear during the game. The game-worn jerseys will be given to successful bidders following the game.
All funds raised from the auction will go toward SIH’s plans to build a new cancer treatment center in southern Illinois, the SIH Cancer Center. Presently, cancer patients who live in the region are often required to travel long distances for treatment. A new, centralized treatment center would bring more quality care to the area.
“This community, through Saluki Way, made a significant investment in Saluki Athletics,” Director of Athletics Mario Moccia said. “This is one more way that we can repay that investment that the community made.”
Saluki Athletics and SIH are entering the second year of a three-year agreement to sponsor an annual Black Out Cancer game. The partnership with SIH also includes the Saluki Volleyball team’s Dig for the Cure, women’s basketball’s Pink Out game and softball’s Strikeout Cancer game.
To bid on a jersey, go to salukisblackoutcancer.com. Bidding will end at 8 p.m. on Sept. 16.
CHICAGO — The sponsor of legislation to allow the concealed carry of firearms on Saturday ripped Gov. Pat Quinn’s ongoing efforts to make the measure more restrictive, saying the Chicago Democrat is pandering to voters in Cook County and that his actions could lead to “mayhem” across Illinois.
Here’s the link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan.
WHITTINGTON – Paul L. Barnfield, 70, passed away at 1:35 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2013, at his home.
He was born Aug. 30, 1942, in Benton, the son of Elzie and Marie (Hamilton) Barnfield. He married the former Barbara G. Winemiller on Aug. 24, 1968, in Benton, and she survives.
Mr. Barnfield was a member of American Quarter Horse Association, and he showed and trained horses.
He was a sales trainer and entrepreneur.
Mr. Barnfield served in the Army National Guard from June 11, 1960, to April 17, 1964, and then in the Army Reserve, where he was discharged June 19, 1968, and qualified as a sharpshooter.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Barnfield of Whittington; daughter, Amy and husband, Rich Miller, of Glen Carbon; son, Timothy Barnfield of Marion, five grandchildren, Justin, Abigail, Connor, Tyler and Alicia, two sisters and brother-in-law, Dorothy and husband, the Rev. Paul Brown, and Francis Melvin, all of West Frankfort, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, David; and two sisters, Ruthie and Shirley.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, July 8, in Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Brother Ralph Brandon officiating. Burial with military rites, conducted by Benton American Legion and VFW posts and an Illinois National Guard Honor Team, will be in Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be after 11 a.m. Monday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home.
SESSER – Dorothy Elvera Jones, 90, died Wednesday, July 3, 2013, in Nature Trail Healthcare in Mount Vernon.
She worked as a dress factory inspector in Du Quoin and was a member of First Baptist Church in Sesser.
Dorothy was born Aug. 25, 1922, in Washington County, to Christan and Virginia (Watson) Nehrkorn.
Dorothy is survived by her son, Ronnie Jones of Sesser.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Roger Jones on Oct. 29, 2012; daughter-in-law, Virginia Jones; and sister, Ester Jane Nehrkorn.
Funeral ervices will be Saturday, July 6 at 11 a.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, with Brother Mark Miller officiating. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery Sesser. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
For more information, visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.
Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn intends to take action today on legislation that would allow guns to be carried in public, and he’s widely expected to insert changes to the bill to try to put in place stricter regulations.
Here’s the link to the story in the Chicago Tribune.
Joyce Lynn Spencer, 76, of Whittington, passed away Sunday, June 30, 2013 at her home.
She was born in Whittington on Sept. 25, 1936 to Raymond and Vaneta (Winemiller) House.
She married James Spencer on Nov. 27, 1952. They were married for 60 years.
Mrs. Spencer was a former hairdresser and worked at H & R Block before retiring.
She is survived by her husband, James Spencer, of Whittington, three daughters, Brenda (David) Garvin, Carla (Bennie) Allsopp and Penny (Dale) Brookins, all of Whittington and two sisters, JoAnn Johnston, of Mt. Vernon and Jane Spencer, of Whittington.
Also surviving are five grandchildren, Adam (Shelly) Allsopp and Mathew Allsopp, both of Whittington, Ryan (Dawn) Garvin, of Benton, Kentucky, Mallory (Alex) Gibbs, of Benton, and Chelsea Brookins, of Whittington. Additional survivors include four great-grandchildren, Presley, Holden and Keira Allsopp and Kinlee Garvin. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2 at Shiloh Cemetery with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating. There will be no visitation, those attending are requested to meet at the cemetery.
Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Benton police reported a busy weekend with multiple arrests.
On Friday June 28, 2013 Benton Police arrested Ronald W. England, age 59, of West Frankfort for driving while suspended. England was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
On June 28, 2013 Benton Police arrested Bobby L. Williams, age 60, of Benton for criminal trespass and resisting a peace officer. Williams was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
On June 29, 2013 Benton Police arrested Trevor J. Myers, age 22, of Benton for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of cannabis, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, and illegal transportation of alcohol. Myers was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
On June 29, 2013 Benton Police arrested Kevin J. Phelps, age 31, of Thompsonville for driving while license suspended. Phelps was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
On June 29, 2013 Benton Police were dispatched to the 700 block of Glendale Street in reference to a fight in progress. Through investigation, police arrested Ashley S. Adams, age 18, of Benton for unlawful consumption of alcoholic liquor. Police also arrested Linda Copher, age 54, of Benton for unlawfully permitting a minor to become intoxicated. Curtis R. Key, age 37, of Buckner was also arrested for endangering the life of a child. All suspects were charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
On June 30, 2013 Benton Police were dispatched to the 300 block of North Stotlar street in reference to a domestic disturbance. Through investigation, police arrested Cody D. Zinzer, age 25, of Benton for aggravated assault. Zinzer was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
This column was originally published October 28, 2010. It’s easy to forget the purpose of universities and the essential — if at times testy — interplay of free thought in a free society. In an age that increasingly gives personal responsibility to the state, it’s easy to lose sight of the social value of deep free-will. Martin Luther postulated a relationship that is the seed of a free society. In 2010 some of my reflections regarding Luther were challenged. So be it.
— Walter V. Wendler
____________________________________________________________________________________
By Walter V. Wendler
Halloween marks a number of occasions but none more important than the nailing of Luther’s 95 Theses on the Castle Church door at Wittenberg — the birth of a reformation that transformed the modern world on October 31, 1517.
This act changed things: not just the association of Christendom to the church; not just the relationship of Christendom to its namesake, Jesus Christ; not just the bond of a man to an organization; not just the suggestion that individuals are masters of their own fate; not just the impact of the printing press and the translation of the bible into German to make it accessible to all rather than just the few conversant in Latin; not just the concept that money could buy anything from happiness to heaven; not just the notion that a single man with a powerful idea could take on the largest multinational corporation in the world and start a revolution, a reformation; and certainly, not just the belief that concepts are important, even more so than the force of tradition and dogma, but rather that people with passion need to stand and risk.
“Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise”, he said. Just a man standing for what he thought right.
The Church was rocked, and the waves created extended well beyond its walls. The power of a thinking person changed the course of humanity. Other potent examples we know from world history.
I hope.
Here are ten individuals who had dramatic impact: Albert Einstein, Johannes Gutenberg, Jesus Christ, Muhammad, Cai Lun (said to have invented paper, without which poor Gutenberg would have been hopeless), St. Paul, Marie Curie, Confucius, Buddha, and Isaac Newton. Any historian worth his salt would affirm their inarguable influence.
Life as a lightning rod took its toll on Luther. Obsessions developed, manifested later in his life by anti-Semitism that bordered on hate and madness. His view, before the paranoia-poisoned madness set in, was that each person should discover his own way in the world. That the need for the insertion of any man between a person and the Creator was not only unnecessary and limited, but antithetical to Holy Writ and the exercise of free will. We must stand or not on our own actions and decisions, neither bought nor begged. Rugged individualists were needed, not beholden to a social or ecclesiastical organization contaminated by greed, avarice, or the collection of power. Even associations with the best intentions should not compel membership or ideas against individual free will.
Luther was a powerful free thinker who, by example, encouraged others to do likewise -to think freely – to make their own way guided by their own understanding of their place in the world, not by infringement of any kind.
This powerful thinking has little to do with candy corn and jack-o-lanterns, but much to do with the purpose of the university. Luther’s boldness when he nailed his Theses to the church door that day in Wittenberg changed the western concept of social order.
His idea — squeezed out of his faith and insight — to create an appropriate sense of self- determination was more basic than had been previously known.
This is without qualification the work of the university – allowing lives to be defined by aspiration and passion rather than acquiescence and passivity.
At a university, the power of free thought, and engaging it through scholarship and learning, faith and experience, is so central that I can say with confidence that institutions neglecting it do not fulfill their mission to their students.
I wish he had nailed his 95 Theses to the door on July 4, rather than October 31.
