Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
by Steve Dunford
ZEIGLER, IL – At 11:20 a.m., Zeigler and West Frankfort firefighters responded to a field fire at the intersection of State Route 149 and Dry Road. This is just east of the Zeigler city limits.
Further updates will be provided as they become available.
BUCKNER, IL- This year at Halloween the Buckner Fire Department will once again have its doors open for our area trick or treaters, on Halloween night from 5:00 until 9:00pm. We will have candy and fire prevention materials to hand out for the kids. We will also be grilling out and having free hot dogs, chips, and drinks. Kids will have the chance to participate in “Touch a Truck” where they will be allowed to explore in one of our fire engines!
And finally we will be having our first annual “Its the Great Pumpkin Buckner Fire” pumpkin decorating contest. All kids 18 and under will have the oppourtunity to bring in a painted and or carved pumpkin to be judged by very distinguished panel of pumpkin experts, and have the chance to win a sweet prize package! One boy and one girl will win a certificate with the oppourtunity to get a chauffeured ride to school in one of our engines! Talk about making your friends jealous!!!
We are also pleased to announce, that this year we will be participating in the “Teal Pumpkin Project.”
The Teal Pumpkin project is a simple way to identify to parents and their children, that we will have non-allergen candy and prizes available for children with food allergies. The department will have teal pumpkins on display to identify our trick or treat spot as a “safe” place to get safe treats and prizes.
Food allergies are a life-altering and potentially life-threatening disease, and a growing public health issue. In the U.S., one in 13 children has a food allergy – that’s roughly two in every classroom. For these children, even a tiny amount of their allergen has the potential to cause a severe reaction.
Virtually any food can cause a reaction. Many popular Halloween candies contain nuts, milk, egg, soy or wheat, which are some of the most common allergens in children and adults. Additionally, many miniature or fun-size versions of candy items contain different ingredients than their full-size counterparts and some miniature candy items may not have labels, so it is difficult for parents to determine whether these items are safe for their child with food allergies.
Non-food treats provide a safe, fun alternative for children with food allergies and other conditions for whom candy may present a problem.
There are many kids that don’t get to experience the fun of Trick or treating due to this illness.
We care about all the kids in all communities. They are our future.
The cool thing is…. you, the person reading this… can participate as well.
For more information where you can learn the facts about food allergies and the Teal Pumpkin project, please visit any or all of the following websites.
www. tealpumpkinproject. org or you may like The Teal Pumpkin Project on Facebook
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 13
WHAT: Eight Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash
WHERE: I57 South Bound at Mile Post 92, Jefferson County
WHEN: Friday, October 20, 2017 at 11:48 A.M.
VEHICLES: 2006 Kenworth in 5 axle combination, 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2015 Freightliner in 5 axle combination, 2010 Nissan Altima, 2000 Honda Odyssey, 2015 Jeep Wrangler, 2016 Freightliner in 5 axle combination, and a 2008 Pontiac Solstice
DRIVERS: Kenworth – Eulalio Alvarez, a 61 year old male of Edcouch, TX –Uninjured.
Chevrolet – Billy R. Olden, a 73 year old male of Kinmundy, IL – Uninjured.
2015 Freightliner – Zekeria A. Hassan, a 25 year old male of Nashville, TN – Uninjured.
Nissan – Lavondra D. Smith, a 49 year old female of Horn Lake, MS – Minor injuries – Transported via ambulance to a local hospital.
Honda – Martin Ramirez Torres, a 33 year old male of Kirkland, WA – Uninjured.
Jeep – Greg M. Culp, a 50 year old male of Mattoon, IL – Uninjured.
2016 Freightliner – John P. Quaintance, a 62 year old male of Owatanna, MN – Uninjured.
Pontiac – Connie L. Browning, a 55 year old female of Lake Saint Louis, MO – Uninjured.
PASSENGERS: Honda – Bertha Mungia, a 32 year old female of Joliet, IL – Minor injuries – Transported via ambulance to a local hospital.
Honda – Iridian G. Gonzalez, a 19 year old female of Cicero, IL – Uninjured.
Honda – Graciela Hernandez, a 57 year old female of Joliet, IL – Uninjured.
Honda – a 5 year old female of Joliet, IL – Uninjured.
Honda – a 9 year old female of Joliet, IL – Uninjured.
Jeep – Jackie L. Culp, a 51 year old female of Mattoon, IL – Uninjured.
Pontiac – Sandra M. Wagner, a 50 year old female of Dardenne Prairie, MO – Uninjured.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate all vehicles were south bound on I57 at mile post 92. All vehicles except for the Kenworth were either slowed to a near stop or were completely stopped due to a traffic back up from the bridge construction project located at mile post 89. The 2015 Freightliner was in the center of the three lanes. The Chevrolet was in the right lane of the three. The Kenworth was in the center lane and it’s driver failed to perceive the stopped traffic in time. He swerved to the right avoid striking the rear of the 2015 Freightliner and struck the rear of the Chevrolet. The hood of the Kenworth, which sustained heavy damage in the collision, flew upward blocking the Kenworth’s driver’s view. Disoriented, he then swerved left and struck the right front corner of the 2015 Freightliner. After passing the 2015 Freightliner, the Kenworth continued on, collecting the Nissan, Honda, Jeep, 2016 Freightliner and Pontiac in a chain reaction style crash as it proceeded down the lane marker between the center and right lanes.
All vehicles except for the Jeep and the Pontiac were towed from the scene due to damage. The roadway was closed for approximately 2.5 hours for crash investigation and scene clean up. During the clean-up, all south bound traffic was diverted off of the interstate at the I57 South bound Exit 95 – Illinois Route 15.
CHARGES: Eulalio Alvarez was charged with Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Marion, IL – State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) met with members of his Tourism advisory committee on Thursday to discuss some of the biggest issues facing local tourism.
Among the issues discussed were the plans for reopening both Rend Lake Resort and the Tourism Information Center which has been closed down due to construction on the north and south bound rest stops on I-57.
“It has been frustrating having both the Rend Lake Resort, and the Tourism Information Centers closed for as long as they have,” Severin said. “That being said we are working closely with state agencies on both of these issues and keeping an open dialogue with the committee and others involved in tourism that have been impacted by the closures.”
Shannon Johnson, CEO of visitSI, heads up the advisory committee and has enjoyed the improved communication the committee has helped provide for tourism throughout the district.
“Southern Illinois as a whole has so much to offer as a tourist destination,” Shannon said. “We have to be using all our resources though and make sure they are complimenting each other. I think the committee has done a good job of opening lines of communication between groups that otherwise would not be working together as they are now.”
The group meets on a quarterly basis with the most recent meeting held at Walkers Bluff. Their next meeting will be in January.
O’Fallon, IL – U.S. Representative Mike Bost today announced his staff will hold Mobile Office Hours throughout Illinois’ 12th Congressional District during the month of November. Staff will be available to assist residents who have questions regarding veterans’ benefits, Social Security, Medicare, student loans, and other federal programs. Appointments are encouraged, but not required, and can be made by calling Rep. Bost’s Carbondale office at (618) 457-5787. Constituents who are not able to attend Mobile Office Hours are encouraged to visit the Services section of Representative Bost’s website at www.bost.house.gov/services.
** Due to the confidential constituent services that are discussed during Mobile Office Hours, these meetings are not open to the media.
Franklin County:
Date: Tuesday, November 7
Time: 10:00am -12:00pm
Location: West Frankfort City Hall
110 N Jefferson St, West Frankfort, IL 62898
Date: Thursday, November 16
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Location: Benton City Hall
1403 South Main, Benton, IL 62812
Perry County:
Date: Wednesday, November 8
Time: 1:00pm -3:00pm
Location: DuQuoin City Hall
302 E Poplar St, Du Quoin, IL 62832
Pulaski County:
Date: Wednesday, November 15
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Location: Mounds City Hall
204 Main St, Mound City, IL 62963
Randolph County:
Date: Wednesday, November1
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Location: Red Bud City Hall
200 E Market St, Red Bud, IL 62278
Date: Wednesday, November 8
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Location: Chester City Hall
1330 Swanwick St, Chester, IL 62233
Date: Thursday, November 30
Time: 1pm-3pm
Location: Sparta City Hall
112 W Jackson St, Sparta, IL 62286
Union County:
Date: Wednesday, November 15
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: Anna City Hall
103 E Market St, Anna, IL 62906
Williamson County:
Date: Tuesday, November 7
Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm
Location: Carterville City Hall
101 S Division St, Carterville, IL 62918
Date: Thursday, November 16
Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Marion Carnegie Library
206 S Market St, Marion, IL 62959
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast
Missouri.
.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight
Thunderstorms are possible later tonight across southeast
Missouri, southern Illinois and parts of southwest IN and far
western KY. Lightning will be the main hazard.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Sunday through Friday
There is a chance for thunderstorms area wide during the day on
Sunday. Locally heavy rainfall and lightning will be the primary
hazards. Some locations can expect 1 to 2 inches of rain.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…
Spotter activation is not anticipated.
DuQuoin, IL – Due to a semi recovery operation after an early morning crash on Interstate 57 North Bound at Mile Post 49 (Williamson County), Interstate 57 North Bound will be closed beginning at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, October 20, 2017.
The crash occurred at 4:55 A.M. on October 20th and involved a single semi which exited the roadway to the right and entered the tree line. I57 North Bound is under construction in this area.
After consulting with the E.T. Simonds Construction, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and Vernell’s Interstate Service Inc., the ISP and these partners collectively determined the safest course of action would be to close the roadway at Exit 45 – Illinois Route 148 and divert all north bound traffic off onto Illinois Route 148 for the duration of the clean-up efforts. This will ensure the safety of workers on scene while providing the necessary space for their recovery operations in the narrow confines of the construction zone. It is also believed the late evening / early morning closure will minimize the impacts to traffic.
Motorists are advised to either follow the marked detour or seek alternate routes all together as this closure is expected to last for several hours.
Washington, DC – Representatives Mike Bost (IL-12), Rodney Davis (IL-13) and John Shimkus (IL-15) today sent a letter to Amazon encouraging the company to consider the Metro East region as a viable site for its second corporate headquarters.
“We believe that the St. Louis region exceeds the prerequisites set forth by Amazon for its new headquarters,” said Bost. “Our community is home to a large, urban population with access to multiple modes of transportation, a world class, educated workforce, and a vibrant cultural life. It was important that we lay a marker down and do our part in ensuring that Amazon understands just how beneficial this partnership can be.”
In their letter, the Southern Illinois members stated, “The St. Louis region offers a unique opportunity and locale for the HQ2. With its thriving population and outstanding educational institutions, the region offers a highly-skilled and motivated talent pool of potential employees. As pointed out in the application, the St. Louis region currently has about a 1.3 million person labor force with many individuals coming from institutions of higher learning located in the region. It also highlights the fact that the area is home to 80,000 specialized STEM occupations and Scott Air Force Base, which attracts highly qualified cyber and IT employees.”
From George O’Connor – Communications Director for Congressman Mike Bost
CHICAGO, IL – Gov. Bruce Rauner highlighted exciting new advanced manufacturing career opportunities with a group of over 150 students from five Chicago high schools today at a National Manufacturing Month event. The event took place at the Wilbur Wright College Humboldt Park Campus, which houses the school’s vocational center.
“Manufacturing jobs have a reputation for being dirty and dangerous, but the industry continues to evolve and innovate every day, which requires a highly skilled workforce to fill these good-paying jobs,” Rauner said. “Investing in our young people and giving them the resources they need to pursue careers in advanced manufacturing is one of our top priorities. We must continue our work to make Illinois a more businesses friendly environment to create more high-quality and high-paying jobs for these bright students who will take over this critical industry.”
Wilbur Wright College Humboldt Park Campus hosted the event in partnership with the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC), the Chicago Metro Metal Consortium, the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development and the Greater Northwest Chicago Development Corp. The community college is part of the City Colleges of Chicago.
Students from Ombudsman High School, Austin College & Career Academy, Schurz High School, Prosser Career Academy and Roberto Clemente Community Academy received a facility tour of the college’s Vocational Center, where they were informed of the school’s nine-month Advanced Manufacturing Program in computerized numerical control (CNC). They then had the opportunity to tour Winzeler Gear, WaterSaver Faucet Co., SG360°, a subsidiary of the Segerdahl Corp., Laystrom Manufacturing Co. or Freedman Seating Co. Each company provided a presentation of career pathways.
The Advanced Manufacturing Program is nationally recognized and endorsed by the Manufacturing Institute. It is accredited by The National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS). In 2012, the computer numerical control (CNC) machining program placed 100 percent of its graduates into jobs paying $40,000 a year, with the potential to jump to $55,000 to $65,000 in less than two years. In 2024, it is estimated more than 22,000 job positions will be available because of Illinois’ retiring workforce.
According to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, manufacturing comprises 13 percent of Illinois’ economy. More than 12,000 manufacturing firms call Illinois home, providing jobs for nearly 600,000 Illinoisans.
