Temporary Closure of River Road and the Spillway at Rend Lake

Press Release from the US Army Corps of Engineers, Rend Lake Project office

Benton, IL –  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake is announcing the closure of the downstream portion of the Rend Lake Spillway and River Road, located west of the main dam, during the period of September 26 thru October 13, 2017. This 2-week closure, will allow for routine inspections to be completed in the stilling basin and repairs to be completed on the downstream, rock portion of the spillway.

Beginning at approximately 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 26, 2017, Rend Lake maintenance staff will begin placing sandbags in the notch of the spillway, stopping the flow of water over the spillway. Corps of Engineers staff will then clean the stilling basin, opening it up for engineers to perform routine scheduled inspections. During the period of de-watering, contractors will be replacing some of the protective rock, located south of the concrete walkway, which has been displaced through the past several years as water flows across this area.

The public is asked to honor all caution signage posted in the area. Notice will be given when the area is re-opened. If you have questions about this project feel free to contact the Rend Lake Project Office at 618-724-2493.

Candidates run for re-election in Springfield amidst dozens not returning

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36449647/candidates-run-for-re-election-in-springfield-amidst-dozens-not-returning

State senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) left and State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) right discuss running for re-election. Fowler formally announced yesterday he is seeking re-election for the 59th District State Senate seat. (WSIL-TV Photo)

(Evie Allen, WSIL-TV.  Please click on the link above for the full story and video.  Here is an excerpt below)

With another election year right around the corner, many incumbents have already announced their bids for re-election. It comes, as many other long-time office-holders in Springfield, have decided to call it “quits.”

Every Illinois House Representative serves two-year terms. With the Senate it gets a little tricky: senators fall into three groups, with each group serving a 2-year term at a different time between censuses. For the rest of the decade, they serve 4-year terms.

Republicans Dale Fowler, Dave Severin and Terry Bryant go will back to the campaign trail again.

Senator Fowler of the 59th District and Representative Severin said they remain more excited than ever to continue in Springfield

State Senator says 5 cent gas tax increase needed to cover construction projects

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/state-senator-says-cent-gas-tax-increase-needed-to-cover/article_4c2662ac-9fd2-11e7-beca-b31c74a20690.html

(Greg Bishop, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

A leading state Senate Republican says expanded gambling in Illinois could pay off existing capital construction projects, but there would still need to be a gas tax increase for future ones.

Associated General Contractors of Illinois Executive Director Bill Frey said the need for updates to infrastructure is obvious.

“We know where the road miles are,” Frey said. “We know where the bridges are. We know how to fix them and it’s up to the legislature to pick a revenue stream, or a whole bunch of revenue streams” to pay for it.

State Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, said there’s already a billion dollars outstanding from the 2009 capital plan that could be covered by expanding gambling.

Last day of August type heat and humidity

This chart shows high temperatures for the rest of the week and weekend. As far as low temperatures, we will see lows in the upper 60s tonight but much cooler readings in the upper 50s to lower 60s will occur on Wednesday night. Even cooler readings in the lower 50s (upper 40s for some locales) are forecast for the end of the week and weekend, before rebounding early next week. (NWS Paducah)

 

Seven Day Forecast

Today
Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Light and variable wind.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Light and variable wind.
Wednesday
A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 5 to 9 mph.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. North wind around 6 mph.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 78. North wind 6 to 8 mph.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 52. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming north 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Northeast wind around 6 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 74. East northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 49. East wind 3 to 5 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 76. East wind 3 to 6 mph.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 9 mph.

RLC hosting free Motivated Manager’s Training Workshop

by ReAnne Palmer – Rend Lake College Public Information

INA, Ill. (Sept. 25, 2017) – Get inspired next month at the Motivated Manager’s Training Workshop, hosted by Rend Lake College and taught by Joel Busboom of The Inspired Workplace. The free event will be held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24 in the RLC Student Center.

During the four-hour workshop, Busboom will use his experience with personal development programs and the Army’s Officer Training to encourage those in attendance to reach their potential in the workplace.

In the morning, Busboom will cover the basics of leadership, including dropping the shield, helping others feel supported, laying the foundation for success, and other simple programs. After lunch, he will focus on program development, such as community resources, program development, the importance of stakeholders, and next steps.

Lunch will be provided for attendees. The workshop is sponsored by Country Financial and Mountain Valley Spring Water. To register or for more information, contact RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714 or commcorped@rlc.edu.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE TO PROMOTE RAIL SAFETY ENFORCEMENT THROUGHOUT NATIONAL RAIL SAFETY WEEK

Local, State and Federal Agencies Partner to Reduce Rail Crossing Fatalities

Press release from the Illinois State Police District 13- DuQuoin

DuQuoin, IL – Illinois State Police District 13 is partnering with local, state and federal agencies to promote vehicle and pedestrian safety around railroad tracks and trains during Rail Safety Week, September 24 through September 30.

To promote rail safety awareness and education, Illinois State Police District 13 has planned enforcement details throughout the week at various railroad grade crossings. Drivers and pedestrians who disobey the laws associated with railroad grade crossings and railroad property will be cited. In addition, police officers will be distributing literature to the public that contains information on how to be safe around trains and train tracks.

“Trains have the same weight ratio to a vehicle as a vehicle does to a can of soda. It’s 4000 to 1!”, stated Lieutenant Michael Alvey, District 13 / 22 Commander. “Because of the energy involved in train collisions, there simply is no winning. That’s why it is so important to obey the laws concerning rail roads and trains”, Alvey continued.

When crossing railroad tracks, motorists must always obey the law and be aware of your surroundings. Please remember, it against the law to stop your vehicle on the railroad tracks and anywhere within the highway-rail grade crossing. Highway-rail grade crossings are typically marked by white stop lines located on the pavement in advance of the crossing, and if not marked by white stop lines, the highway-rail grade crossing extends from protective gate arm to protective gate arm.

According to Illinois Operation Lifesaver, more than 67 percent of all rail-related collisions occur at crossings with active warning devices (flashing lights, gates, and ringing bells).

During 2016 there were 120 railroad crossing collisions in Illinois involving motor vehicles. These collisions resulted in 43 injuries and 22 fatalities. In addition, there were 39 trespassing incidents on railroad property which resulted in 17 injuries and 22 fatalities. Illinois is ranked 2nd in the nation in grade crossing fatalities and 7th in the nation in railroad trespassing fatalities.

For more information on Rail Safety Week please visit: https://oli.org/about-us/news/rail-safety-week-2017.

Dept. of Labor to permanently close Golconda Job Corps

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36446036/dept-of-labor-to-permanently-close-golconda-job-corps

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

The United States Department of Labor has publicly announced its proposed decision to permanently close the Golconda Job Corps.  The department will formally post its decision to the Federal Register Notice on Tuesday, February 26.  That will also begin a 30-day period of public comment on the DOL’s decision.

In a letter to Congressman Dick Durbin, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Department of Labor, Byron Zuidema, outlines the reasons for the permanent closure.

Zuidema states, “Since the summer of 2010, Job Corps personnel have been on site at Golconda numerous times, including multiple visits to follow up on serious incidents that occurred on Center.”

Usher being called ‘hero’ for helping to stop Antioch TN church shooter

http://www.wsmv.com/story/36441230/engle-being-called-hero-for-helping-stop-antioch-church-shooter

 

Caleb Engle, the 22 year old parishioner who went to his vehicle to get his gun during yesterday’s church shooting. (WSMV Photo from his Facebook profile)

ANTIOCH, TN (WSMV-Nashville.  Please click on the link for the full story and other stories and videos regarding this tragedy. Here is an excerpt below.)

Robert Caleb Engle is being hailed as a hero after helping to stop the accused gunman during the shooting at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch on Sunday.

Robert Caleb Engle is being hailed as a hero after helping to stop the accused gunman during the shooting at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch on Sunday.

According to police and witnesses at the scene, Engle, who is an usher at the church, confronted the accused shooter, Emanuel Kidega Samson. Engle was then pistol-whipped by Samson. The two got into a scuffle before Samson shot himself in the chest.
Engle, who has a carry permit, went out to his car to get a gun, despite suffering a head injury.

Engle then went back inside the church to confront Samson and held him at gunpoint until authorities arrived.

Illinois second worst in state debt, worst in taxpayer trust

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/illinois-second-worst-in-state-debt-worst-in-taxpayer-trust/article_f2ef98ba-9d43-11e7-9504-afe0923de4e8.html

(Greg Bishop, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Got $50,000 laying around you can hand over to the state? Illinois taxpayers owe that much in debt racked up by state government.

Government finance watchdog Truth In Accounting’s latest Financial State of the States report shows only nine states are free of state debt. The rest, including Illinois, are putting their taxpayers in debt considerably

Among the nine states that have no taxpayer debt is Illinois neighbor Iowa, which comes in at No. 9 with a taxpayer surplus of $500. Wyoming came in at No. 3 with a taxpayer surplus of $20,500, behind Alaska’s $38,200 and North Dakota’s $24,000.

 

 

Severin Visits School for National Keep Kids Creative Week

Press Release from the office of State Representative Dave Severin

 

JOHNSTON CITY, IL – On Friday, State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) visited a fourth grade music class at Lincoln Elementary School in Johnston City. The visit took place to bring awareness to National Keep Kids Creative Week, which occurs once a year during the third week of September.

After watching his son and now grandsons grow up, Rep. Severin knows that creativity comes easy to all kids.

“Being able to express your creativity is one the many fun aspects of being a kid.” Severin said, “As I have watched my son and now grandsons grow up over time, it makes me believe creativity just comes so naturally to children. From the art projects brought home from school to musical performances, you really see how they all are overflowing with creativity.”

Creativity may come natural to kids but Rep. Severin knows it is important that we are continually supporting and cultivating it in schools.

“It is important that our schools continue to foster creativity in our kids through music, art, and other creative programs, otherwise it will be lost on them sooner than we think.” Severin said “The best ideas come from dreamers, and as far as I am concerned you can never have too many good ideas, so it is important to recognize National Keep Kids Creative Week and promote creativity in all our kids.

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News