All Franklin County Government offices will be closed in honor of President’s Day,
State and Federal offices, as well as schools and banks will be too.
There will not be any postal service as well.
Franklin County Goverment offices closed today in honor of President’s Day
February 19, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Senator Fowler comments on Gov. Rauner’s budget address
February 18, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Sen. Fowler Week-in-Review: February 12-16, 2018
The second major milestone in Illinois state government for the year was hit this week, with lawmakers coming together from both the Senate and the House of Representatives to listen to the annual Budget Address on Feb. 14.
After attending the speech, State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) was cautiously optimistic about the spending plan presented to the General Assembly.
“One of the fundamentally basic, but still critical, aspects of the Governor’s spending plan is that it is balanced, adhering to our Constitutional requirement and calling for the state to spend within its means,” said Sen. Fowler. “Stability won’t be sustained on a foundation of reckless spending or a crushing tax burden. We have to be realistic and responsible, working toward a brighter future for our state by putting an end to the cycle of overspending and overtaxing.”
Other key points from the speech critical for downstate Illinois include $100 million for higher education improvements, $100 million for statewide emergency repairs and calls for 100 new Illinois State Police Cadets, urging a tougher approach toward crime.
“Another exciting component to the proposed budget is the direct investment in the future of Southern Illinois, allocating $1 million toward the Cairo river port project,” said Sen. Fowler. “Our region has so much to offer this state in terms of opportunities, future development and potential. I’m extremely encouraged that this budget recognizes the need to invest in Southern Illinois and takes steps toward revitalizing and reviving Cairo and our surrounding communities.”
With a balanced budget on the table, Sen. Fowler stresses the importance for lawmakers to work together moving forward.
“This budget isn’t perfect and just like any other budget proposal, we have work ahead of us and tough decisions to make. However, we have a good starting foundation: a balanced budget that outlines some of the critical areas for Illinois to address. Lawmakers now have a responsibility to come together, pass the reforms our state so desperately needs, and pass a budget that works for our state and the people we represent,” concluded Sen. Fowler.
In other news this week, Illinois lost a true hero when Chicago Police Commander Paul Bauer was shot and killed on Feb. 13. In honor of his memory, all entities governed by the Illinois Flag Display Act were instructed to fly both the United States and Illinois state flags at half-staff. Commander Bauer lost his life while confronting an armed suspect outside the James R. Thompson Center, a state government office building in downtown Chicago. Bauer was a 31-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department.
Finally, Sen. Fowler is reminding people about the upcoming voter registration deadline. Illinois residents looking to vote in the March 20 primary election need to be registered by Feb. 20, which is the end of the regular registration period. This deadline also applies to those people who need to change their names or addresses. More information on registration and how to vote can be found on Sen. Fowler’s website, senatorfowler.com.
Enjoy today…..a wet work week ahead….chances of mixed precip out of the forecast
February 18, 2018 By Leave a Comment
We’re closely following the threat of heavy rain coming up this week. At this time, the best chances for widespread heavy rainfall will be Tuesday night through Wednesday and again Friday into Saturday. If you have interests near area creeks and rivers, be sure to pay close attention to the latest forecasts. Keep up to date with the latest forecasts for your location at weather.gov/pah. (NWS-Paducah image)
Hydrologic Outlook
An unsettled weather pattern will result in potentially significant rainfall this week. Two periods of concern will be late Tuesday through Wednesday, then again late in the week. Several inches of rainfall are forecast. The anticipated heavy rainfall will be spread out over several days. This kind of scenario favors flooding of low land, poor drainage areas. It should also cause rises on area rivers and their tributaries.
The heaviest rainfall late Tuesday through Wednesday should be across southeast Missouri, southern Illinois and possibly southwest Indiana. By the end of the week, nearly all of the region including west Kentucky will experience heavy rainfall.
Stay up to date on the latest forecasts in the coming days for additional updates and forecasts.
Seven Day Forecast
Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. South southeast wind 9 to 13 mph.
Tonight
Showers likely after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature rising to around 59 by 5am. South wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Washington’s Birthday
Showers likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 69. Breezy, with a south wind 16 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 15 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tuesday
Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 73. Breezy, with a south wind 17 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night
Showers before 9pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 9pm and 3am, then showers after 3am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 41. South wind 10 to 16 mph becoming north northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Wednesday
Showers likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 44. North wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night
Showers likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 33. North northeast wind 7 to 9 mph.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. North northeast wind around 8 mph.
Thursday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. East wind around 7 mph.
Friday
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 52. East wind 6 to 9 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 47. South southwest wind 8 to 10 mph.
Saturday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Southwest wind 9 to 11 mph.
Tuesday last day to register to vote in Illinois primary
February 18, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Illinois residents looking to vote in the March 20 primary election need to be registered by Feb. 20, which is the end of the regular registration period. This deadline also applies to those people who need to change their names or addresses.
If residents miss the deadline, it’s not their last opportunity to register. Illinois now offers a grace period. Although the traditional voter registration period closes 28 days prior to the election, grace period registration extends that deadline up to Election Day. However, grace period registration is only available in-person at designated sites and requires individuals to vote at the same time they register.
The State Board of Elections encourages individuals to check with their local election authorities to determine locations and hours available for grace period registration/voting.
For more information on how to vote in the upcoming election, click here.
Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler Confirms Traffic Crash Fatality
February 18, 2018 By Leave a Comment
BENTON – Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler has confirmed that a 21-year-old male died in a single car accident Saturday morning just after 3:00 a.m. The accident occurred West of Sam Pyle Bridge Road on State Route 14. It appears the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve left the roadway, striking a guide wire attached to a utility pole, the vehicle came to an abrupt stop striking a tree on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was traveling Westbound on Route 14.
The Franklin County Sheriff Department is investigating the accident. An autopsy is being scheduled. No further information is available at this time. The name of the 21-year-old male will be released after all family members have been notified of the death.
Christopher Unit District #99 addresses an issue of an incident with student
February 17, 2018 By Leave a Comment
CHRISTOPHER – CUSD #99 would like to address an issue that occurred at CES. Recently, a non-functional AirSoft gun was brought to the school by a student. Students made the staff aware of the presence of the non-functional AirSoft gun. Administration was notified and addressed the issue quickly. The student has been addressed accordingly.
It needs to be emphatically stated; Students were NEVER in danger at ANYTIME. The toy gun was not functional. It was NEVER used.
We want to commend the students, staff, administration, and School Resource Office for quick action. With all that has gone on recently, CUSD #99 is totally committed to keeping all of our students safe. Every decision and action is directed towards that goal.
From the district’s Facebook page
Three Benton residents arrested on drug charges
February 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment
BENTON – On February 13th, 2018 Benton Police arrested Patrick S. McClerren, age 42, of Benton on active warrants for both Franklin and Williamson counties for failure to appear. McClerren was also charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Through further investigation, police also arrested two other individuals identified as Angela Patterson, age 40, and Samantha Thebeau, age 26, both of Benton for unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. McClerren, Patterson, and Thebeau were all charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
On February 16th, 2018 Benton Police arrested Roy D. Stinson, age 42, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear. Stinson was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
The public is reminded the alleged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Frankfort Unit School District #168 Update on School Safety Measures
February 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Press Release from Matt Donkin – Superintendent
WEST FRANKFORT – As part of the district’s on-going planning and work on security measures in our schools, Frankfort CUSD #168 continues to use various strategies and actions each day to keep everyone alert and aware of potential incidents that could happen. One of those random strategies and actions may involve searching with metal detectors.
Today, Frankfort Community High School is conducting searches with metal detectors as students are entering school. School staff was joined by members of the West Frankfort Police Department in our ongoing partnership to keep our schools safe and assist us in conducting the searches. There has been no active threat to the schools of the district today. Please be aware that we continue to ask our students and their families to report any concerns or information they may have. We will investigate information that we receive to its conclusion to insure the safety of our students and our staff.
This school district continues its emergency assessment and planning as we all ask ourselves across this community and across this nation what needs to be done to prevent future school incidents
MO & IL Post Offices to Close in observance of Presidents’ Day
February 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Self Service Kiosk available at select Post Offices, mail will be collected
St. Louis, MO —MO & IL Post Offices will observe President’s Day on Monday, February 19, 2018, a federal holiday. All Offices will be closed and there will be no mail delivery.
Customers needing postal services may use self-service kiosks at select locations or visit Postal Service Approved Shippers. Go to www.usps.com to find a location near you.
Mail will be collected from blue street collection boxes beginning at [TIME]. Postal officials advise anyone with stamped or metered mail ready for delivery, especially businesses, to drop this mail into a blue collection box instead of waiting to do so the following day.
The Post Offices will reopen and regular mail delivery will resume on Tuesday, February 20, 2018.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
USACE Announces Temporary Closure of Sections of the Rend Lake Bike Trail
February 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment
BENTON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake is announcing the temporary closure of a section of the Rend Lake Bike Trail. The closure is an extension of the current closure and will be in effect until further notice. The closure will allow maintenance personnel to safely remove hazard trees adjacent to the trail. The section of trail between the entrance gate of the North Sandusky Recreation Area west and south to the bridge crossing Sandusky Creek will be barricaded to discourage all entry.
Updated information will be posted on the Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center Facebook page. For further information, contact the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center at 618-724-2493.
