Getting out: Many students leaving Illinois to attend college

http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170930/getting-out-many-students-leaving-illinois-to-attend-college

SPRINGFIELD, IL –  (Tim Landis, Springfield Journal Register.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Illinois has the second-highest rate nationally of college freshmen choosing to leave the state to pursue higher education — a mark it hit even before the state’s two-year budget impasse — and preliminary figures this fall suggest the numbers continue to look grim.

Between 2000 and 2014, when the out-migration hit an all-time high, the number of freshmen leaving Illinois to attend college shot up by about 64 percent, according to a study earlier this year by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Only New Jersey, which also has had state budget woes, exceeded Illinois in loss of students to out-of-state schools.

The trend was even more pronounced among students attending four-year colleges and universities. Of those freshmen, nearly half chose to attend out of state schools in 2015.

That all-time high was hit even before the state’s colleges and universities weathered the effects of a two-year state budget impasse, which left institutions cutting budgets and programs and put financial aid for thousands of students on hold or in limbo.

Marginal Risk of severe weather tomorrow

The Storm Prediction Center is keeping a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms for mainly the afternoon and early evening hours on Tuesday, October 10th. The primary hazard will be the potential for a few damaging wind gusts. Lesser hazards will be hail and the potential for an isolated and brief tornado. The threat of severe weather will be conditional, depending the impact of storms earlier in the day, as well as any persistent cloud cover. (NWS Paducah)

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

Thunderstorms return to the forecast tonight. No severe weather is
anticipated, so storm hazards will be heavy rain and lightning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Tuesday through Sunday

The Storm Prediction Center outlooks a marginal risk of severe
thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon and evening. Strong winds aloft
and the strength of the system will make large hail and damaging
winds the primary severe weather associated hazards. Storm hazards
will also include lightning and heavy rain.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation is possible Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Seven Day Forecast

Columbus Day
Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South southeast wind around 6 mph.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Light east southeast wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. East wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Light and variable wind becoming west southwest around 6 mph in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. West northwest wind around 7 mph.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Light west northwest wind.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Light and variable wind.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Calm wind.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 60. South wind 3 to 5 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 3 to 7 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 63. South southwest wind around 7 mph.
Sunday
A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. South southwest wind 7 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

 

Bost to Host Tele-town Hall Meeting with VA Committee Chairman Phil Roe

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) announced that he will host his sixth telephone-town hall meeting this year beginning at approximately 6:30pm CT on Tuesday, October 10th. Constituents of the 12th District can be part of the free, public forum by registering at www.bost.house.gov/participate.

Bost  will be joined by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Phil Roe. They will provide an update on activities in the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and any other federal issues constituents would like to discuss during the Q&A portion of the call.

Bost reports that his conference calls average nearly 10,000 listeners each time and are comprised of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents from all 12 counties across the 12th District.

from George O’ Connor – Communications Director, Congressman Mike Bost

Several departments called to a large house fire in Royalton last night

Photo from West City Fire Department

 

by Steve Dunford

ROYALTON, IL –  Royalton, Zeigler, Hurst, Williamson County, West Frankfort, and Christopher firefighters, along with the West City Rehab Unit, and MABAS 45 air supply unit were toned to a large structure fire, at 202 S. Mannering Street in Royalton.

Royalton Fire Chief Mike Hooker told WSIL-TV, that crews left around 2:30 a.m. Monday, but were called back a few hours later when the house rekindled. Heavy equipment had to be used to help firefighters put out hot spots.

The house is considered a total loss.

Any information in regards to fundraising etc., please pass along.

 

 

Invesitgation of the whereabouts of two escapees is still ongoing

by Steve Dunford

WEST CITY, IL –  At this time it is still unclear the whereabouts of Randall Napier and Alonzo Young, two were noticed missing from a Prisoner Transportation Services bus in Crittenden County KY, Kentucky late Friday afternoon.

The bus stopped at West City McDonalds around 1:30 p.m. Friday afternoon.  Crittenden County then contacted West City authorities around 5:00 p.m. to report three prisoners missing.

I spoke with West City Police Chief Scott Choisser this morning.  He said there has not been any stolen vehicles or break-ins over the weekend. There is also no sign of the escapees on surveillance cameras at this point, in which the department has been checking them over the weekend, and still will be checking them today.

“It was shift change time at McDonalds, and my first concern was the employees being accounted for,” said Chief Choisser.  Contact was made with the employees a short time later.

Around 11:15 p.m., one of the three prisoners Charles Kelly was arrested in Crittenden County when he was asking employees and patrons of a convenience store in Marion KY (The Crittendon County Seat) where an area motel was.  He was arrested a short time later.   Below is a link to the story in the Crittenden press.

http://crittendenpress.blogspot.com/

One of the escapees, Randall Napier, has ties to the Madisonville, KY area, which is around 45 miles from Crittenden County.  The third Alonzo Young  was convicted of robbery and assaulting an officer charges in South Dakota.

I attempted to make contact with PTS in Nashville TN this morning, and they are yet to return my call.

Chief Choisser hopes to make a statement sometime today.

 

 

Fowler asks constituents to help honor local veterans

Highlighting the importance of honoring the sacrifices made by local veterans, this upcoming Veterans Day, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) is providing several opportunities for constituents to say thank you for your service. Students in 6, 7, and 8th grades are encouraged to participate in Senator Fowler’s Veterans Day Essay contest, while all constituents are asked to submit a tribute and photo of their friends and family who have served our country to be displayed in the rotunda of the Illinois State Capitol Nov. 1 through Nov. 13.

“This Veterans Day let’s join together to say ‘thank you’ to the brave men and women who have fought to protect our freedoms,” said Fowler. “It’s important that we teach our children about the sacrifices that have been made so that they can sleep safely at night. I hope you will encourage the kids in your life to participate in this essay contest.”

For the contest, students will submit a 300-400-word essay based on the prompt “What is the history of Veterans Day, and why is it important that we celebrate this day each year?” A judge panel of military veterans will review the students’ submitted work and select one winning essay, as well as three to five runners-up essays.

The contest winner and finalists will have the opportunity to visit the Senator at the State Capitol in Springfield on a 2018 Spring Legislative Session Day and will receive Certificates of Recognition from the Illinois Senate. The first-place essay will also be featured in the 2017 Veterans Day Display at the Capitol in November.

All essays and contest entry forms must be submitted to Fowler’s district office email at senatorfowler59@gmail.com by October 26, or participants may drop by the office or mail their entries to 2 North Vine, 6th Floor, Harrisburg, IL 62946. Contest details are available at senatorfowler.com.  

Aside from the essay contest, Fowler is also encouraging constituents to submit a tribute and photo of loved ones who have served to be displayed in the rotunda of the Illinois State Capitol.

“While we will never truly be able to properly thank these people for what they have done for us, on Veterans Day, let’s show our veterans that their sacrifices have not been forgotten,” said Fowler.

Families are to submit a photo and written story (max: 250 words) along with the following information: name, military branch (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy) and conflict served (Afghanistan, Iraq, September 11, Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea, WWII, WWI, Peacetime, other). Military photos are preferred but not necessary.

Please email submissions to veteransday@sgop.ilga.gov by Oct. 30. Submissions can also be mailed to Veterans Day Wall, 309 G Statehouse, Springfield, IL 62706. For questions, call 217-782-1650.

The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs is also partnering with Sen. Fowler on this tribute to veterans.
“This Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our Illinois Heroes and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free every day of our lives,” said Erica Jeffries, Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

From Sen. Dale Fowler’s office

Democratic county chairmen back Pritzker for governor

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-illinois-democratic-county-endorse-pritzker-governor-20171007-story.html

SPRINGFIELD, IL (Rick Perarson, Chicago Tribune.  Please click on the link above for the full story. Here is an excerpt below.)

Tribune photo

A group of the state’s Democratic county chairmen voted Saturday to back J.B. Pritzker for governor, adding to a list of endorsements for the billionaire entrepreneur and investor.

Doug House, president of the Illinois Democratic Chairmen’s Association, said Pritzker gained the backing of nearly 70 percent of the 102 party county leaders during its fall meeting in Springfield.

The Pritzker endorsement had been expected after House, who also is the Rock Island Democratic chairman, last month urged his fellow county chairs to support the businessmen over a host of rivals in the March primary election.

 

Coello Chicken and Dumplin’ Dinner Tomorrow

by Steve Dunford

COELLO, IL –  In a second Sunday of the month tradition for over 40 years, the Coello Dumplin’ Gang will be hosting their chicken and dumping dinner at the Coello Community Building.

According to North City (Coello) mayor Curtis Overton, the proceeds go to the improvement of the village.  Currently they are trying to make upgrades to their park.  In the past, proceeds helped purchase a new fire truck.  Also, there is a community wide Christmas party with part of the revenue.

The hours are 11-2, and you can have all the dumplings you can eat, green beans, slaw, drink and dessert for $8.

One of the alleged escaped convicts caught in Crittenden County KY

http://crittendenpress.blogspot.com/2017/10/at-least-1-of-3-escapees-left-custody.html

MARION, KY (Crittenden Press – Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below)

The escapee has been taken into custody.

Marion Assistant Police Chief Bobby West said employees and patrons at Five Star Convenience Center had notified authorities that Kelly had been in the store asking about where he might find a motel.

They began looking for the escapee downtown and a passerby saw Kelly hiding behind a garbage can at the Farmers Market on Main Street. Police were hailed and they chased him across Main Street where he was eventually taken into custody behind Five Star. He was found trying to hide in a overgrown, weedy area behind The Crittenden Press at 11:15pm.

 

TIMELINE OF EVENTS OF THE ALLEGED ESCAPE CONVICTS

by Steve Dunford

I know people are getting bits and pieces of the story on social media. I am still learning the ropes as a journalist.
One thing that I have learned in this situation is to keep things in ONE story and pass updates along. Our website has been down since Wednesday night. Social Media is all that I have at my disposal. Here is a timeline. The times are approximate.
I will share information that I hear from a house fire or an accident immediately so people can avoid the area. In this situation I was waiting for law enforcement to share.

Friday Night

6:30 PM. I knew something was going down at McDonalds. I did not know what it was at the time. I knew surveillance cameras were being checked around all the area businesses.

7:30 PM. The rumors began to circulate on social media what was going on. I was waiting to get the OK from law enforcement to share. I called WSIL-TV. They told me they had a reporter on the way.
In times of emergency, media sources put their information together. They told me they would contact me. I told them I would check their website for any information that needs to be passed along, and don’t worry about getting a hold of me.

9:00 P.M. Channel 3 broke the story. All the rumors that have been floating around, I confirmed.

9:30 P.M. I was told of the story the Crittenden County KY, paper ran, in which it was not discovered the inmates escaped until the van arrived at their jail. They were federal inmates being transported by a private company.

10:15 P.M. There was an attempted break-in in the Whittington Area, in which the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois State Police was handling the case.

11:00 P.M. This is when mugshots were being shared of the escapees.

When I woke up this morning, I discovered that Charles Kelly was caught last night behind the Crittenden County Press office at 11:15 p.m.
When I contacted the West City Police Department this morning, they said there was nothing new on the investigation.
I have also been in contact with Crittenden County authorities, and they still are investigating.
One question that I have in this case is whether the inmates were being transported to a federal facility and they were being housed overnight, or whether Crittenden County houses federal inmates in an agreement similar to what Jefferson County has here at home.
I will post any new information and will update this timeline when I find out anything additional.

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News