Illinois State Trooper Joey Watson conducts an assembly for all Sesser-Valier students from grades 3-12 on the dangers of surfing the internet. There will be a similar session in the spring for parents. (Photo provided)
Warmer weather in sight
January 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Today
Sunny, with a high near 18. Wind chill values as low as -7. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph.
Tonight
A chance of flurries after 3am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 6. Wind chill values as low as -1. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 21. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 5. North northeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 23. Light and variable wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 17. South southeast wind 5 to 8 mph.
Sunday
A slight chance of flurries, freezing rain, and sleet before 9am, then a slight chance of rain, flurries, freezing rain, and sleet between 9am and noon, then rain likely after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 39. South wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night
Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 35. South wind 7 to 13 mph becoming west northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph.
Monday
A slight chance of rain before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Northwest wind around 8 mph.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. West northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. West northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Oregon’s Freak-Out Over Pumping Your Own Gas Shows Why Many Dumb Regulations Still Exist
January 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Oregon and New Jersey are the only two states that ban self-service gas stations. But thanks to a new law that went into effect on January 1, customers can now pump their own gas in Oregon, though only at stand-alone gas stations in counties with fewer than 40,000 residents. Elsewhere, the ban still holds.
But even this tiny increase in freedom was apparently too much for some Oregonians. In a Facebook post that’s now gone viral, local news station KTVL polled their fans for their thoughts about the new law. Some did not take the news well.
Please click on the link below to read the full story from Nick Sibilla of Forbes Magazine.
Special weather statement from the NWS regarding sub zero wind chills
January 3, 2018 By Leave a Comment
…Wind Chills Will Drop Below Zero Again Tonight…
A fresh surge of Arctic air will overspread the region tonight
resulting in low temperatures in the single digits above zero.
Northwest winds will persist and may even become gusty at times
tonight. The result will take wind chills down below zero for much
of the night. The coldest wind chills are expected near sunrise
when they will range from 10 below zero near Interstate 64 in
southern Illinois and southwest Indiana to near 5 below zero over
much of west Kentucky and southeast Missouri.
Those waiting for busses in the morning and others who must be
outside should bundle up as much as possible and limit their time
outdoors. In addition, make sure outdoor pets have adequate
shelter from the cold.
Automatic voter registration law doesn’t allocate money for implementation
January 3, 2018 By Leave a Comment
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Automatically registering voters anytime they register with certain state government agencies was considered a major legislative priority by some at the statehouse, but lawmakers haven’t put the necessary tax dollars behind it to get it started.
As it is right now, Illinois residents can opt in to registering to vote when they get or update information for a state ID card or driver’s license. Lawmakers pushed to make that automatic and to include more state agencies.
Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the original automatic voter registration bill in 2016 with suggested changes he said made the bill better. Lawmakers followed his lead in 2017 and passed automatic voter registration.
Please click on the link for the full story from Greg Bishop of Illinois Radio News Network.
Studio RLC offering free haircuts for National Law Enforcement Day
January 3, 2018 By Leave a Comment
By ReAnne Palmer
INA, IL – Rend Lake College students enrolled in the Barber and Cosmetology programs are inviting all local law enforcement to stop by Studio RLC in Mt. Vernon for free haircuts on Tuesday, Jan. 9 for National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
Police and corrections officers, agents, investigators and the dozens of other professions in law enforcement can receive a free haircut and style from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 5 – 8 p.m. next Tuesday.
Daphne Mitchell, Cosmetology Associate Professor, said, while the day is about giving back to those who support our communities, it is also a chance for RLC students to hone their skills.
“To every police and law enforcement officer out there, thank you for everything you do. Thank you for making that choice to protect and serve, and for keeping us safe. It’s the least we could do to provide free haircuts to show our appreciation,” said Mitchell. “Our students are looking forward to giving back to those who are sworn to serve us while practicing their techniques learned in the classroom.”
Appointments and walk-ins are welcome. All law enforcement will need to show identification. For more information, contact Studio RLC at 618-242-8459.
Bryant E News – End of Year Review 2017
January 3, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Dear Friend,
We have now come to the final edition of the Bryant E-News for 2017! What a year it has been in Illinois politics. This week I will share information on more than 200 new laws that will be on the books as of January 1, 2018. Please take the time to get informed on new laws for the New Year.
I also share links to all 34 previous Bryant E News editions from this year. It is truly an honor to serve as your State Representative in Springfield. Your readership of this online newsletter has exploded in the last two years. Since I first took office in 2015, press releases, pictures, video reactions, articles, and editions of Bryant E News, have been viewed over 150,000 times. (153,155) as of this morning to be exact!
I want my constituents to be informed on the major issues facing the State of Illinois. I am thrilled at the growth in our email newsletter list and the continued readership from so many of you. I pledge to continue keeping you up to date on all the happenings as the new legislative Session begins in January 2018.
To all my friends, family, and constituents, and to everyone in Illinois and across America, I wish you a safe, Happy, and healthy New Year!
NEW YEAR NEW LAWS – Get informed for 2018!
With the arrival of the new year comes a series of new laws enacted by the State of Illinois. This year, over 200 new laws will take effect on January 1. These include bills for small technical corrections as well as major pieces of legislation. Follow the link below for a recap of the new laws that will be on the books next year.
NEW YEAR NEW LAWS RECAP – Illinois House Republican Blog
For more information on all the bills in the General Assembly, please visit www.ilga.gov
There is one law in particular this year that I was the chief sponsor of that was signed into law that I want to highlight. That bill is HB 771, and you can find a synopsis and a record of action on the bill by following this link.
Rep. Bryant and Sen. Schimpf were named
“Honorary Fire Chiefs” in 2017 (From State Represenative Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro)
In Illinois, 70 percent of all firefighters are volunteers. This new law will allow a volunteer firefighter to purchase one set of tires for their vehicle every three years at a reduced price per the fire district’s joint purchasing agreement. The goal is to provide a little bit of help to the folks that volunteer to fight fires and keep us safe.
I’m particularly thankful to Senator Paul Schimpf for his advocacy and for sponsoring this bill in the Senate. This law is different than the others that are highlighted above because it became effective on September 8 of this year, the day it was signed by Governor Rauner.
Scattered flurries today…below zero wind chill tonight……wintry mix early Sunday morning
January 3, 2018 By Leave a Comment
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
Wind chill readings will fall to between zero and 10 below late
tonight into Thursday morning.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Thursday through Tuesday
There is some potential for a brief, light wintry mix of
precipitation across the region Sunday morning.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…
Spotter activation is not anticipated at this time.
Seven day forecast
Today
Scattered flurries before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 26. Southwest wind 8 to 14 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 5. Wind chill values as low as -6. North northwest wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 17. Wind chill values as low as -6. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 6. Wind chill values as low as -1. North northwest wind 3 to 6 mph.
Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 20. West northwest wind 3 to 5 mph.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 6. Light north northeast wind.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 28. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. South wind 7 to 9 mph.
Sunday
A chance of rain, freezing rain, and sleet before 9am, then rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 40. South wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Sunday Night
Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 36. South wind 8 to 10 mph.
Monday
A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. South wind 7 to 9 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. West northwest wind around 7 mph.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. Northwest wind 7 to 9 mph.
Zeigler may not be able to recoup all the money allegedly stolen by former treasurer
January 3, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The FBI raiding Ziegler City Treasurer Ryan Thorpe’s home in August. Photo Taken by William McPerson of the West Frankfort Gazette.
ZEIGLER – Months after the FBI raided Zeigler City Hall and city treasurer Ryan Thorpe was indicted for embezzling funds from the city, Zeigler Mayor Dennis Mitchell said the city may not be getting all the money back.
After the story broke in October that Thorpe was charged in federal court with stealing $315,890.94 from the city between Jan. 1, 2013, and Aug. 31, 2017, Mitchell said he was confident the city would recoup the damages, with its insurance policies that cover crime and with the bond taken out on Thorpe every year.
Thorpe pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and is scheduled for a federal jury trial at 9 a.m. Feb. 26.
The following was an excerpt taken from a story by Isaac Smith of the Southern Illinoisan.
Illinois Review: Chicago 2017 murders averaged 2 a day
January 2, 2018 By Leave a Comment
CHICAGO – Every 13 or so hours, another person was murdered last year in Chicago, averaging two murdered every day, the website HeyJackass.com reviewed Monday morning.
A person is shot every two hours and 27 minutes, the website’s 2017 Chicago Shot Clock says.
That ads up to 624 persons shot and killed and 2937 shot and wounded in 2017.
