Perfect night for High School Football

Kickoff – Clear and 69 degrees.

Seven Day Forecast

Today
Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming south southeast 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 59. South southeast wind 5 to 7 mph.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Light south southeast wind becoming south 8 to 13 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers after 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Sunday
A 50 percent chance of showers before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Northwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 43. North northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 65. North wind 3 to 6 mph.
Monday Night
Clear, with a low around 42. Calm wind.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
Clear, with a low around 47. Calm wind.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 51. South wind 3 to 6 mph.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 74. South wind 3 to 7 mph.

Saline County Deputies looking for suspect who attemped to rob Galatia Dollar General

GALATIA, IL The Saline County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man accused of trying to steal money from the Dollar General Store in Galatia, Illinois last week.

Deputies say on October 5th around 10:30 p.m. a man approached two employees, demanding cash. They say the man had a small gun with a silver top and black handle, but fled the store when the alarm was activated.

The suspect is described as a white man in his mid-to-late 20’s around 5’10” with blonde hair, blue-green eyes and facial hair. The man was wearing a dark colored hoodie and dark colored jeans.

The sheriff’s office released a sketch of the suspect and anyone with information about this incident should call 618-252-8661.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Report 10/12/17

BENTON, IL  10-3-17 at 3:59 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on lL Route 154 at the intersection with lL Rt. 37. A 2004 Kia driven by Anataslya T. Anatolyevna age 19 of Jacksonville, Florida was east bound on Rt. 154 and failed to yield to a 2008 Toyota driven by Tammy S. Kirk age 52 of Marion that was south bound on Rt. 37. The Kia struck the Toyota, causing the Toyota to spin out of control, strike a road sign and then come to rest in a ditch on the west side  below the highway. The driver of the Kia fled the crash scene and was later apprehended in Ina. There were no injuries and the driver was cited for failure to yield right of way, no valid insurance and leaving the scene of a property damage crash.

10-3-17 at 6:09 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle crash on State Rt. 14 at the intersection with Sam Pyle Bridge Rd. A 2004 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Vernon H. Sweetin age 67 of Benton, was east bound on Rt. 14. A 1996 Chevrolet S-10 Pickup Truck, driven by Dustin J. Kirkman age 27 of Benton had been sound bound on Sam Pyle Bridge Road and entered the path of the Silverado, causing a collision. There were no injuries and Dustin Kirkman was ticketed for failure to yield right of way, operating an uninsured vehicle and driving while license suspended.

10-3-17 at 10:08 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural West Frankfort. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Jaceson K. Wall age 58 of West Frankfort for aggravated domestic battery.

10-5-17 at 8:35 pm Deputies responded to a reported disturbance at a private residence in rural Royalton. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Lauren N. Koons age 24 of Herrin for criminal trespass to a residence, felony criminal damage to property and resisting a peace officer.

10-6-17 at 2:39 pm Deputies responded to a residence in Logan at the request of a probation officer. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Kendra R. Marvel age 27 of Logan for possession of a controlled substance and violation of probation.

10-7-17 at 7:10 am a traffic stop on Elkville Blacktop near Royalton resulted in the arrest of Alva D. Kelly age 18 of Christopher for driving under the influence and unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor.

10-7-17 at 11:18 am Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in Coello. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Ronald J. Ballheiner age 45 of Coello for aggravated domestic battery.

10-8-17 at 6:49 am Deputies investigated a reported domestic disturbance in rural Valier. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Koltyn W. Irvin age 28 of Valier for aggravated domestic battery.

10-10-17 at 6:42 pm Deputies responded to a disturbance in rural Valier that resulted in the arrest of Shelsea R. Irvin age 48 of Valier for battery.

10-10-17 at 7:45 pm Deputies responded to a traffic incident in rural Mulkeytown that resulted in three arrests for underage drinking, Danielle N.Phillips age 19 of West Frankfort, Segio M. Davis age 18 of Goreville, Kaitlin N. Staley age 19 of Christopher and Nathan S. Michalski age 21 of Christopher was arrested for an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on a criminal damage to property charge.

10-9-17 at 8:40 am Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in Akin. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Isaac L. Vaughn age 21 of Akin for criminal damage to property.

WARRANTS

9-29-17 Angela R. Rohan age 23 of Zeigler. Residential Burglary

10-3-17 James A. Nicholson age 28 of West Frankfort. Possession of drug paraphernalia

10-3-17 Derek W. Beasley age 27 of Benton. Failure to appear for domestic battery

10-3-17 Claudie E. Rickett age 36 of Murphysboro. Failure to appear for domestic battery

10-3-17 Tina M. Spani age 24 of Benton. Failure to appear on retail theft

10-4-17 Steven W. Koshaba age 37 of West Frankfort. Driving while license revoked

10-4-17 Tami V. McPherson age 50 of West Frankfort. Aiding and concealing a fugitive (Alan Bennett)

10-4-17 Travis L. Reginato age 22 of Buckner. Failure to appear for burglary

10-5-17 Wade A. Wyciskalla age 22 of Scheller. Failure to appear for possession of drug paraphernalia

10-5-17 Mark L. Flannigan age 56 of Pinkneyville. Failure to appear for D.U.I.

10-6-17 Donald R. Knaack age 19 of Royalton. Failure to appear for domestic battery

10-6-17 Travis D. Hargett age 38 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear on resisting a peace officer

10-6-17 Kendra R. Marvel age 27 of Logan. Failure to appear for violating an order of protection

10-9-17 Michael L. Wright age 46 of Royalton. Failure to appear for battery

10-11-17 Laura L. Orlovich age 43 of Marion. Failure to appear for D.U.I.

10-11-17 Gary D. Redding age 40 of Mt. Olive. Failure to appear for violation of an order of protection

The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. – Sheriff Don Jones

Cloudy and cool today, then a gradual warming trend

Seven Day Forecast

Today
Cloudy, with a high near 64. Calm wind.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 50. Calm wind.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming south southeast around 6 mph in the morning.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. South southeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Light south southeast wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South southwest wind 7 to 9 mph.
Sunday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night
A slight chance of showers before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. North northwest wind 6 to 8 mph.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 66. North wind around 7 mph.
Monday Night
Clear, with a low around 44. Light and variable wind.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 70. Light and variable wind.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Calm wind.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning.

Severin to Hold Satellite Office Hours in McLeansboro with Illinois Comptroller’s Office

Marion, IL State Representative Dave Severin (R- Benton) will be holding Satellite Office Hours at McCoy Memorial Library on Wednesday October 18th from 12:00 – 3:00 pm. Rep. Severin’s staff will be on hand to take your opinions and assist you with any constituent related issues you may have.

Staff from Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza’s office will also be on hand and will be happy to help answer any questions you have for them as well, or work with you on any outstanding payments you may have with the State.
The address for McCoy Memorial Library is 118 S Washington St, McLeansboro, IL 62859.  If you would like to learn more about our office hours please contact Rep. Severin’s District Office at (618) 440-5090 or through the contact form on his website at www.repseverin.com. 

From the office of State Representative Dave Severin

Gov. Rauner continues Built in Illinois tour

Encourages women in manufacturing

CICERO, IL — Gov. Bruce Rauner continued his Built in Illinois tour today with a visit to United Scrap Metal Inc., an award-winning, woman-owned business in Cicero. The tour highlights the importance of the manufacturing industry to the Illinois economy as part of National Manufacturing Month.

“Marsha Serlin’s business story is inspiring,” Rauner said. “Started with just $200 and a rental truck in 1978, Marsha has built United Scrap Metal into a firm that employs 300 people. Seeing her operation, it is easy to see why she is called the ‘scrappiest entrepreneur’ in the industry.”

Serlin’s company is among the largest women-owned businesses in Chicago. It purchases, processes and markets recyclable commodities and serves 2,500 clients coast-to-coast.

“We want to see Marsha’s story repeated over and over again,” Rauner said. “That’s why my administration is trying so hard to get government out of the way of growth businesses.

“We need to create a climate that helps Illinois companies compete successfully so they can start up and grow and hire people,” he continued. “Cutting red tape and burdensome regulation is one way government can help fuel the engine of prosperity.”

Manufacturing is currently the second largest industry in Illinois. Ninety-two percent of the state’s exports are manufactured products. Nearly 600,000 Illinoisans are employed by over 12,000 firms whose products account for 13 percent of the state’s gross domestic product.

Recognizing the importance of the manufacturing sector to the state’s economy, Rauner proclaimed October Built in Illinois Month.

From Governor Bruce Rauner’s office

 

Dispatcher on administrative leave following sexual assault investigation

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36577541/dispatcher-on-administrative-leave-following-sexual-assault-investigation

The Central Dispatch Board. (From WSIL-TV reporter Hannah Gebresialasse’s Twitter page

CHRISTOPHER, IL (Hannah Gebresilasse – WSIL-TV.  Please Click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.

Board members of the Central Dispatch of West Franklin County voted Wednesday night to place former Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Hampton on unpaid administrative leave, indefinitely.

Hampton faces charges of criminal sexual assault and custodial sexual misconduct. The felonies stem from an incident in January of 2016. Following the incident, the Franklin County Sheriff placed Hampton on administrative leave and he later resigned then began work at the dispatch center.

Rebecca Whittington serves as general counsel for the West Franklin County Central Dispatch board. She told News 3 Hampton’s position will be held open, but he will not be on staff or payroll.

Du Quoin in early stages of a possible restoration of Grand Theater

http://www.duquoin.com/article/20171011/news/171019965/

Cinema Treasures photo

DU QUOIN, IL-  (Geoffrey Ritter, DuQuoin Call.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Du Quoin’s beautiful but shuttered Grand Theater may find new life in the near future, but first there will be a healthy serving of due diligence.

The budget for Du Quoin’s tax increment financing districts, adopted at Monday’s city council meeting, lists as a new initiative an effort to “revive, redevelop, and reestablish” the Grand Theater, located at the corner of Washington and Main streets.

Mayor Guy Alongi said Monday that while the prospect of reestablishing the theater is exciting, the city will proceed cautiously and deliberately.

“We don’t want it to turn into a white elephant that we have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on,” Alongi said. “We want to walk through this before we run

Below is a link to the website Cinema Treasures that tells the history of the Grand.  There will be an excerpt from the article as well.

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/5655

The Grand Theatre is truly a movie palace. It’s small town location and continuous operation put in a very unique position. Most of the small town palaces are gone, they will never be back. If for no other reason the Grand Theatre should be kept going and if possible be restored. The Grand Theatre was closed on October 18, 2010 screening “Alpha and Omega” and “Let Me In”. However, after a two weeks closure, it was re-opened on November 5, 2010. The Grand Theatre was closed in January 2016.

 

RLC Warrior Fest events draw crowds, Car Show winners announced

by ReAnne Palmer – Rend Lake College Public Information

INA, Ill. (Oct. 11, 2017) – Nearly 90 cars, trucks and motorcycles braved the weather Saturday to attend the Rend Lake College Fifth Annual Warrior Fest Car Show with hopes of taking home the big trophy. There were 13 special awards for Car Show entrants, plus an award for club participation. The Car Show also handed out awards for the top 45 vehicles, door prizes, and a 50/50 raffle winner. All events raised funds for scholarships for Automotive Technology students. Warrior Fest also featured a dozen craft and art vendors, children and family-friendly events such as Big Truck Day, and much more.

Kurt Richter of Aviston, and his best of show, 1941 Willy’s Coupe. (RLC Photo by ReAnne Palmer)

Best of Show: Kurt Richter of Aviston, 1941 Willy’s Coupe.

Best Ford: Rod Wallace of Harrisburg, 1970 Ford Mustang

Best GM: Richard Brewer of Tamaroa, 1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible

Best Mopar: Chuck Overbey of Opdyke, 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 4×4

Best Street Rod: Vince & Cheryl Brown of Mt. Vernon, 1932 Ford Roadster

Best Paint: Jerry Lampp of Tinley Park, 1963 Chevy Nova

Best Modified: Joe Johnson of Walnut Hill, 1999 Chevy S10

Best Motor: Bruce Briley of Collinsville, 1968 Chevy Chevelle

Best Rat Rod: Eddie Burgess of Mt. Vernon, 1946 Ford Pickup F1

Best Orphan: Marylee Holloway of Mt. Vernon, 1959 Nash Metropolitan

Best Truck: Hope Sugg of Greenville, 1968 Chevy C10

Best Sports Car: Corey Kimmel of Benton, 1964 Chevy Corvette

Best Motorcycle: Starr Williams of Mt. Vernon, 2007 Kaw ZX-14 Ninja

Top Club Participation: Kingsman Car Club of Mt Vernon

For pictures of all the cars, click on the following link below

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rendlakecollege/sets/72157661350028658/with/37618242151/

IDOT Seeks Feedback on Illinois Rest Areas

Survey asks travelers to provide opinions on services, locations, visiting habits

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation is asking for the public’s help in developing a plan that will determine the best use of the state’s rest areas. An online survey, accessible at idot.illinois.gov, is available through Sunday, Oct. 29.

“Many of our rest areas have reached a point where it’s time to evaluate their future,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn. “The feedback this survey provides us will be incredibly valuable. We hope as many people as possible participate so our rest areas can better reflect the changing needs of today’s travelers.”

Paper copies of the online survey are available at select rest areas throughout the state. They also can be mailed upon request by calling (402) 399-1405.

The 20-question survey seeks feedback on how travelers currently use Illinois rest areas, their level of satisfaction with the rest areas they visit, the location of the rest areas and how important certain features are to them.

IDOT maintains a system of 30 rest areas and 11 welcome centers on highways throughout the state, serving more than 36 million visitors annually. They are open 24 hours a day and feature restroom facilities, picnic areas, lighted walkways, maps, security cameras, parking for recreational vehicles and commercial trucks, among other services.

For more information on Illinois’ rest locations, visit IDOT’s Rest Areas and Welcome Centers webpage.

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News