ZEIGLER, IL –  Franklin County Emergency Management Agency states that State Route 149 west of Zeigler is closed due to a vehicle fire.

Further updates will be provided as soon as information becomes available.

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http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36855559/gov-rauner-announces-plans-for-new-off-road-trails

WSIL-TV

CARRIER MILLS, IL-  (Andrew Feather, WSIL-TV) Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

At the Sahara Woods Fish and Wildlife area Tuesday, Illinois governor Bruce Rauner announced plans for a new off-road trail facility he says will bring jobs to Saline County.

“We’ll be getting dozens and I think hundreds of jobs very quickly around here because of the visitors coming to enjoy this park, the hunting, the outdoor hiking and the riding, so this can move the needle very quickly,” Rauner said.

The initial plans include 26 miles of off-road trails at the facility, designed to make better use the 4,100 acre strip mine turned state park.

Site superintendent Eric McClusky says he’s excited because the new trails will add more appeal to the park, hopefully attracting people seeking some outdoor fun.

UPDATED 8:45  a.m.  Press Release from Governor’s Bruce Rauner’s office

— A new project will make southern Illinois a destination for off-road riders, Gov. Rauner said while announcing development of a 26-mile off-highway vehicle trail system at Sahara Woods State Fish and Wildlife Area.

“Demand is growing for off-highway vehicle recreation, and this state-of-the-art facility will give riders from across the Midwest a place to enjoy the outdoors,” Rauner said. “Not only will this trail bring additional resources to southern Illinois, it’ll also put Illinois on the map when it comes to offering diverse outdoor experience for riders of all ages.”

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources received a $1.2 million grant from the federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which allows the state agency to move forward with the project. IDNR will pitch in an additional $303,000 from its state parks fund to complete the trail.

This will be the first state-owned off-highway vehicle trail facility.

IDNR will oversee design and development of the project. The setting is ideal, agency Director Wayne Rosenthal said.

“There used to be a coal mine at Sahara Woods,” Rosenthal said of the location, which is just west of Harrisburg. “The topography of the reclaimed, strip-mined land will allow us to develop some challenging trails that should attract a lot of interest from OHV enthusiasts.”

Some mine reclamation projects already are ongoing at the site, including interior roadway and boat-access development, as well as openings for limited fishing and hunting programs. State Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg, said the wildlife area already is a southern Illinois gem, one the new trail system will aid in promoting.

“Expanding on the treasures that Sahara Woods already offers could translate into increased job opportunities and a much-needed economic boost for the region,” Fowler said. “It will go a long way in boosting tourism in Saline County, giving us a platform to continue promoting southern Illinois in the future.”

Federal RTP grants are funded through a portion of motor fuel excise taxes collected from non-highway recreational use, including all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles. Federal law requires that a portion of each state’s RTP funding must be earmarked for motorized trail projects, including trail construction, support facilities, and restoration of areas adjacent to trails.

The recreational area is expected to be ready for riders in spring 2019.

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On November 2, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner issued a proclamation declaring November 12 through November 18, 2017 as Nurse Practitioner Week.

Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) issued the following statement in support of the proclamation:

 “With over 230,000 nurse practitioners licensed today in the U.S., to say that they play an essential role in our health care system would be an understatement. These medical professionals have extensive knowledge in their field, and are trained to provide cost-effective, quality care. The contribution and services that nurse practitioners provide is especially important considering that many of our rural communities already face the challenge of gaining and maintaining health care access. Nurse practitioners play a critical role in today’s healthcare system, and provide important care and support as our state grapples with an ongoing health care provider crisis. This proclamation is just a small way to increase awareness, show our appreciation and applaud the hard work of all the nurse practitioners that go to work each and every day.”

According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, nurse practitioners are expert healthcare providers who are educated and trained to provide primary, acute and specialty health care.

From the National Weather Service- Paducah KY, for all or Southern Illinois

A cold front poised to make passage tonight will ultimately clear clouds and fog out of the area. But prior to its passage, it is
possible that there will be areas of fog, dense at times, that may persist, mainly during these late evening hours. Be advised and
slow your travel down, use your low beam headlights, and be cautious if you encounter this fog.

I apologize for the resolution of this.  SD

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36844208/local-schools-still-struggling-to-find-enough-teachers

MURPHYSBORO, IL –  (Roni LeForge, WSIL-TV Please click on the link for the full video and accompanying story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

The struggle to attract qualified teachers to Illinois schools has gotten worse. After years of dealing with teacher shortages, local districts say they’ve had to find alternative ways to get the job done.

When a position for a science, special education or P.E teacher opens, Murphysboro High School Principal Tony Wilson says he gets a little nervous. Those positions, in particular, have become increasingly more difficult to fill.

“We just posted a P.E. job last year and I got one applicant and that applicant didn’t work out and we were unable to fill the position,” said Wilson.

Scattered rain showers along with a few isolated storms will continue moving east across the area this morning. The rain will begin coming to an end by late morning across parts of southeast MO/southwest IL. (NWS Paducah)

Hazardous Weather Outlook

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

An isolated thunderstorm is possible this morning mainly over
parts of southeast MO and southern IL.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Thursday through Tuesday

The chance of thunderstorms returns late Friday night into Saturday.
A couple strong thunderstorms cannot be ruled out. Damaging wind
gusts and lightning would be the main thunderstorm hazards.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation is not anticipated at this time.

Seven Day Forecast

By ReAnne Palmer 

INA, IL – One final Inexperienced Miner training for surface and underground miners in 2017 is coming to Rend Lake College next month. The five-day class will meet from 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11 through Thursday, Dec. 14, and from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15.

The cost of the class is $165, and attendees must pre-pay and pre-register. All training courses will be held in the Coal Mine Training Center on the Ina campus. For more information or to register, contact Sally Heathcoat at 618-437-5321, Ext. 2373.

Congressman Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) presenting the Bronze Star to Corporal Michael Mann, U.S. Army Retired in February.

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) today joined a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives in passing the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The compromise legislation between the House and Senate, known as a conference report, sets military policy priorities and determines what types of equipment and weaponry can be purchased. The NDAA is expected to be passed by the Senate shortly and sent to the President’s desk for his signature.

“I’ve long said that government’s first obligation is to protect the safety and security of the American people,” said Bost. “This legislation is vitally important because it strengthens our military, provides our troops a pay raise, bolsters missile defense, and drives innovation in military technology to secure our global advantage. Also, it continues our bipartisan tradition of supporting the brave men and women of our Armed Forces.”

Among the bill’s key provisions, NDAA:

• Increases base military pay by 2.4 percent;
• Increases the size of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Army Guard and Reserve, Naval and Air Reserve, and Air Guard;
• Modernizes our nuclear weapons stockpile, missile defense, and military vehicles;
• Supports a defensive and offensive cyberspace strategy;
• Improves the military health care system; and
• Continues funding and support for U.S. military and intelligence operations abroad, including combatting Russia and defeating ISIS.

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From Gay Bowlin, Franklin County Farm Bureau Manager 

BENTON, IL – Hopefully most of the crops are out of the fields by now but I do know that there are still some farmers who are fighting the weather. So this is just a reminder that Governor Rauner signed the HSE into effect to allow farmers to haul grain and/or livestock due to crop conditions. All three common forms of weight restriction – gross, axle and registered – are addressed. In each case, the permit can allow up to a maximum of 10 percent over the standard weight restriction.

There is no cost for the HSE permit. However, you will need to have documents in EACH truck from IDOT during this time. The HSE ruling also indicates that a permit is needed for county routes, district roads and municipal streets – I have called Franklin County and talked to Matt Barnett and Mike Rolla has indicated that Franklin County is not requiring a county permit at this time for emergency harvest. I also spoke with Hamilton County and Jackson County and they are not requiring permits either.

The most important part of this is that YOU CANNOT RUN ON ANY INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS WHILE OVERWEIGHT. YOU MUST ALWAYS OBAY THE POSTED BRIDGE LIMITS!

To get the IDOT permit it is necessary to go to their website and go to the oversize and overweight site and create a log in. A permit will then be issued to you – remember that each truck/plate must have a written permit at least from IDOT. This includes any truck that is hauling grain – not just a farm plate.

Each truck will be required to have three documents:

1. The permit (printed or electronic)
2. A copy of form OPER 993*; and (*special vehicle movement permit provisions)
3. A copy of the Governor’s declaration.

We are getting ready for our County Annual Meeting on November 27. If you are a Farm Bureau member please call by Tuesday the 21^st to make your reservations. For more information call the office at 435-3616.

We are taking donations for Harvest of Help – this is our 10^th year and we have raised over $62,000 to be able to donate food to all 9 are food pantries. Any amount of money is helpful and it is a tax deductible donation to the Franklin County Farm Bureau Foundation. If you would like more information call the office.

It is time again to order oranges and grapefruit.  We currently have pecans in the office so you can call or stop by and pick them up. Supplies are limited so don’t wait.

  Pecans will be $10.00 for a jumbo 1 lb bag of  ½ shelled and $7.00 for a 12 oz bag of choc covered pecans.

     Oranges – a 40 lb box is $35.00 and 20 lb box is $25.00

     Grapefruit – 40 lb box is $30.00 and 20 lb box is $20.00

     (we will not have Tangelos this year at all – sorry for the inconvenience.) 

   Orders must be received by November 22 for fruit and it will be in before Christmas.

Remember we are farmers working together. If we can help let us know.