From George O’Connor,  Communications Director, Congressman Mike Bost

Washington, D.C. – In response today to U.S. Representative Mike Bost’s July 28th inquiry into allegations of mismanagement at the Marion VA Medical Center, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs gave little indication that it had serious concerns regarding the current leadership or its management of the facility.

“The allegations of mismanagement at the Marion medical center are serious, and it is important that the federal government show urgency in getting to the bottom of it,” said Bost. “When word of potential nepotism, employee intimidation, and whistleblower-retaliation exist, we can’t afford to leave any stone unturned in either debunking the charges or fixing the problem. Southern Illinois’ heroes deserve swift action on this. To that end, I will be formally requesting a face-to-face meeting with Secretary Shulkin to discuss this matter as soon as possible.”

Fowler To Receive Compensation As Consideration For Retirement

http://nash-news.com/breaking-news/nchs-board-approves-retirement-agreement-superintendent-ernie-fowler/

NASHVILLE, IL-  (Alex Haugland, The Nashville News.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

The Board of Nashville Community High School approved a retirement agreement with District Superintendent Ernie Fowler following their regular meeting for the month of September, which was held on Monday, September 25, when no action was taken, then reconvened on Tuesday, September 26, when the board approved the retirement agreement before adjourning.

Fowler has been a controversial figure at the school and in the community following the “Volleyball” column written by him and published by this newspaper. At the end of the 2016-2017 school year, the Nashville Education Association, the teachers’ union, made a statement of “no confidence” in Fowler as well.

The board refused to comment on the conditions of the retirement agreement that they had approved at the meeting. The district did release the agreement the following day, Wednesday, September 27.

 

On Wednesday, September 27th at 8:47 a.m. a male caller reported via 911 that there was a bomb in the Courthouse. The Franklin County Courthouse was evacuated as well as the County Office Building (Campbell Building), on the Southeast side of the Benton Public Square. With the assistance of the Benton Police, Benton Fire Department and Franklin County E.M.A., the Public Square was closed to traffic and a K-9 Bomb I.E.D. team requested.

A U. S. Air Force K-9 team responded from Scott Air Force Base. The two buildings were searched and nothing was found. The Courthouse and County Offices reopened at 1:00 p.m.

This is under investigation and leads are being pursued. The case is being investigated by the Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the F.B.I. and the United States Marshall’s Service.

by Steve Dunford

BENTON and MARION, IL – Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones has opened the Franklin County Courthouse and Public Square. Sheriff Jones would like to thank the public and the various agencies that responded to assist during this incident.

Williamson County Emergency Management Agency issued a statement around noon stating the Williamson County Courthouse would open and 1:15 p.m.

Around 8:45 a.m. this morning the West Frankfort Police dispatched received a 911 call that  an ” improvised explosive device on the second floor of the courthouse.  The threat did not state whether it was the Franklin or Williamson County Courthouse.

Over the last hour, a bomb detection unit from Scott Air Force Base cleared the courthouse.  A drone from Franklin County Emergency Management agency scanned the rooftop of the courthouse and surrounding buildings, and nothing was detected.

Any further developments will be shared as the become available.

 

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36459147/morthland-college-fined-more-than-2-million-by-department-of-education

WEST FRANKFORT, IL – (Brandon Merano, WSIL-TV.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

A federal and state investigation reveals troubling findings at West Frankfort’s Morthland College, with “numerous ethical and financial issues” resulting in a more than $2 million fine from the Department of Education.

The DOE and Illinois Board of Higher Education interviewed select college staff one on one Tuesday, reviewing student records, the college’s contracts and financial statements.

The investigation adds to a troubling financial history for the young Christian college.

Financial problems first surfaced at the college after court documents News 3 obtained in May showed Morthland College owed more than $700,000 to the IRS, at that same time Dr. Morthland said there were no financial issues within the college.

 

by Steve Dunford

At 8:52 am Benton Firefighters were toned to the Franklin County Courthouse for a bomb threat.

Several emergency service agencies are on the scene at this time.

The public square is blocked off and NO ONE is allowed access to the square.  Please avoid the area.  We will provide further updates as they become available.

UPDATE 10:05 A.M.  I just spoke with the Williamson County Sheriffs Department.  The bomb threat that was called in applied to both the Franklin and Williamson county courthouses.  This was one call. Streets are being blocked off around the area of the courthouse in Marion.

I will continue to update further information and will provide links from other media sources with any additional information.  -Steve

UPDATE 11:20 A.M.  WSIL TV just released this story in the last few minutes.  It contains some new information.  The call was a 911 call that routed to the West Frankfort Police Department.  Since it could not be determined what county it was coming from, WFPD contacted both counties.  There is also a press release attached.  Please click on the link below for the story.

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36465500/bomb-threat-closes-2-local-courthouses?platform=hootsuite

UPDATE 12:10 P.M.  WPSD-TV is reporting the all clear has been given for the Williamson County Courthouse, and they plan to reopen at 1:15 p.m.  In the last half hour, the bomb detection crew has arrived in Benton.  I will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

UPDATE 12:30 p.m. from Franklin County EMA Director, Ryan Buckingham

A bomb detection K-9 unit from the Department of Defense at Scott Air Force Base has arrived on scene at the Franklin County Courthouse and is currently clearing the building. Franklin County EMA personnel have cleared the roof top of the Courthouse and surrounding buildings using the agency’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones is on site coordinating with Federal and local agencies. Updates on the incident will be posted as new information becomes available. Citizens and motorist are encouraged to remain clear of the public square until operations have concluded.
Ryan M. Buckingham
Director of Emergency Management

UPDATE 1:15 PM from Franklin County Emergency Management

Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones has opened the Franklin County Courthouse and Public Square. Sheriff Jones would like to thank the public and the various agencies that responded to assist during this incident.