CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois University Carbondale will host a Reopening Reception on March 8 at the University Museum’s north gallery in Faner Hall.

Public reception

Join Chancellor Carlo Montemagno and the museum staff for a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday celebrating the reopening of SIU’s University Museum.

Welcome exhibits in the north gallery include works from local artists Aldon Addington and Larry Bernstein. Visitors can also enjoy “Afghan Treasures,” artifacts from Afghanistan that are part of the Museum’s permanent collection.

The reception, which is free and open to the public, will feature remarks by the chancellor and light refreshments.

Exhibits will shine spotlight on local artists

Aldon Addington came to Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1967 and taught sculpture and 3-D design until his retirement in 2001. While a faculty member, he presented many metal sculpture workshops, including ones at the Glasgow

Museum Interior – Images of people viewing the art work inside of the University Museum. (SIU News Service)

School of Art in Glasgow, Scotland, and at the University of Lapland in Rovaniemi, Finland.

During the summers in the 1980s, he also presented workshops and demonstrations at Art Park in Lewiston, New York. Today, his art is represented at Cedarhurst Sculpture Park, the Illinois State Museum, the University of Lapland, and other locales, including private collections.

Larry Bernstein came to Southern Illinois University in 1962 to become a professor in the School of Art and Design. While a faculty member, he was a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts grant in painting and was a winner in The Seasoned Eye, Modern Maturity Magazine National Competitive Exhibition.

His work has been displayed in the Illinois State Museum, NAB Gallery and other locales.

An artistic exploration of Afghanistan

“Afghan Treasures” highlights artifacts from Afghanistan included in the museum’s private collection. Obtained in 1970 by Basil V. Hedrick, former museum director, many of the items on display are hundreds of years old.

Visitors can explore instruments, garments, jewelry, weapons and more from the Asian nation.

MT. VERNON –   Late Saturday afternoon the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office received a report of a threat on social media of someone threatening to shoot up his grade school, located in rural Jefferson County.

A few hours later they took a 13 year old male into custody.  He is charged with a Class X felony terriorist threat and being held in the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center pending court.

Jefferson County Chief Deputy Clint Taylor stated on Social Media that anytime of day, if the sheriff’s office discover threats, they will be immediately investigated.  If there is any evidence of wrongdoing an arrest will be made.   He said this nonsense can not continue and had high praise for his deputies. -Steve

Franklin County Government is proud to support Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 4th – 10th, 2018.

BENTON – Franklin County officials are teaming up with the State of Illinois and the National Weather Service to support Severe Weather Preparedness Week; a statewide effort designed to increase awareness of the severe weather that affects everyone and to encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to know their risk, take action, and be an example.

Being prepared to act quickly could be a matter of survival. This is especially evident during the threat of severe weather. On February 28th, 2017, a massive EF-4 Tornado scared the landscape of western Franklin County leaving behind a path of destruction that destroyed three homes. Director of Emergency Management Ryan M. Buckingham is encouraging residents to take three simple steps to be better prepared for severe weather:

Step 1: Know Your Risk: The first step to becoming storm ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly, obtain a NOAA All-Hazards Radio, and learn about Wireless Emergency Alerts. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.

Step 2: Take Action: Before storms strike, develop a family communication plan, create or purchase an emergency supplies kit and NOAA All-Hazards Radio. You can also sign up for free text alerts from Franklin County Emergency Management Agency by texting your zip code to the number 888777.

Step 3: Be an Example: Share your preparedness story with your friends and family on social media. Letting others know that you’re prepared will prompt them to prepare as well. Studies show that many people use social media in the event of a disaster to let relatives and friends know they are safe. Being weather ready is a collective effort. It takes the whole community to effectively prepare for, protect against, respond to, and recover from the damages caused by tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and other severe weather.

Contact:

Office of the Director of Emergency Management Ryan M. Buckingham 618-439-4362 information@franklincountyema.com
Office of the Director of Emergency Management Office: (618) 439-4EMA  24 Hour Emergency: (618) 438-4841 www.franklincountyema.com – information@franklincountyema.com

“We are proud to support the goals of Severe Weather Preparedness Week” said Director of Emergency Management Ryan M. Buckingham. “We hope citizens and visitors will take advantage of the activities we have planned for the week and better prepare for severe weather”, added the Director.

Local events scheduled for this week include:

 Free NOAA All-Hazards Radio Programming – Have you purchased a NOAA Weather Radio but need help programming it? Let us help! Officials will be at the following locations to program radios throughout the week:

Monday, March 5th – Wal-Mart (West City) – 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Tuesday, March 6th – Cowboy Up Auto (Christopher) – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Wednesday, March 7th – Kroger (West Frankfort) – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Thursday, March 8th – Cowboy Up Auto (Christopher) – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Friday, March 9th – Rural King (West City) – 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

 Monday, March 5th – SKYWARN Storm Spotter Training – Sponsored by Franklin County EMA, West City Fire Department and National Weather Service starting at 6:00 PM at the West City Community Center located at 201 S. Browning Street in West City. This event is free and open to the public. Come out and learn how to detect and report severe weather!

 Tuesday, March 6th – A Statewide Tornado Drill will commence at 10:00 AM. Local warning systems will be activated to allow residents and business owners the opportunity to practice their severe weather preparedness plans.

Share this information with your friends on social media using the hash tag #SWPW18! Join us on Twitter @FCEMA and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FCEMA. Learn more about Franklin County Emergency Management Agency at our website at www.franklincountyil.gov/FCEMA.

MT. VERNON  –   Several media sources are reporting  there has been an accident,, involving a pedestrian and a semi on Route 57, just south of the North 57-64 split.

The website Getting Around Illinois is showing heavy congestion right at exit 95 both ways, and on Broadway in Mt. Vernon.

Please avoid this area as emergency crews are on the scene.  – Steve

Departing High pressure will yield one more nice weather day today, before letting clouds increase tonight, as rain sets in to start the new work week. (NWS Paducah)

Seven Day Forecast

Today

Sunny, with a high near 57. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Flood Warning Continues for the Big Muddy

…The flood warning continues for the following rivers in Illinois… Big Muddy River near Plumfield and Murphysboro .

The Big Muddy River at Plumfield and Murphysboro will continue to fall into next week. Minor flooding is ongoing at Plumfield and is forecast to fall below flood stage by midday tomorrow. Moderate flooding is ongoing at Murphysboro and is forecast to fall below flood stage by Thursday night.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… SAFETY MESSAGE… Never drive cars…trucks or sport utility vehicles through flooded areas. The water may be too deep to allow safe passage. Never allow children to play in or near flood waters. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or your local media for further statements and possible updated forecasts.

Hazardous Weather Outlook

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .
DAY ONE…Today and Tonight Flood warnings continue. Reference the warnings and statements for details.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Monday through Saturday Continuing flooding and details thereof may be referenced via the latest warnings and statements.

Frost is expected Wednesday night and Thursday night, when Lows are forecast in the 20s.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT… Spotter activation is not anticipated at this time.