Two people found dead in rural Murphysboro home

August 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

Marsha Heller – KFVS-TV photo

MURPHYSBORO, IL –  All three television media outlets in this market, are reporting that an investigation is underway, when two people were found dead in a rural Murphysboro home on Mays Road.  Jackson County 9-11 dispatchers received a call just shortly after midnight there could be two people possibly found dead in the home.

Officials from the Jackson County Sheriff and Corner’s office, as well as Crime Scene Investigators from the Illinois State Police are on the scene.

Links will be posted below of further updates from media outlets from the region as this story unfolds.

Information provided for this story from WSIL, KFVS, and WPSD-TV

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, State News

FL driver loses consciousness, crashes on I-57 at the 74 mile marker yesterday

August 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/36125833/fl-driver-loses-consciousness-crashes-on-i-57-in-franklin-co-il

BENTON, IL – (Jasmine Adams, KFVS-TV.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

A single vehicle crash on Interstate 57 at milepost 74 left one person injured on Sunday, August 13.

According to police, the crash happened in Franklin County, Illinois at 11:55 a.m.

A 2007 GMC Sierra truck driven by 66-year-old Larry Conner from Haines City, Florida was heading southbound on the roadway.

Police said an investigation showed that Larry Conner lost consciousness and drove off the roadway to the left and struck the raised center median.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Franklin County Sheriff’s report, 7/11/17

August 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release From Don Jones, Franklin County Sheriff

July 28th

• A traffic stop at 1:30 p.m. in Benton resulted in the arrest of Ronald W. Fitzpatrick, 52, of Benton on a charge of driving on a revoked license.
• Deputies arrested Michelle N. Wasson, 40, of Tamaroa on a warrant for failure to appear on charges of criminal trespass and DUI.

July 30th

• Deputies responded at 5:26 p.m. to a domestic dispute in Logan that resulted in the arrest of Ryan M. Stevens, 26, of Benton on a charge of criminal damage to property.

July 31st

• Deputies arrested Kelcie M. Beers, 23, of Marion on a warrant for violation of probation.
• Deputies arrested Lauren K. Amberger, 27, of Murphysboro on a warrant for forgery.
• Deputies arrested Dustin M. Jones, 24, of Murphysboro on a warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of domestic battery.
• Deputies arrested Carol A. Spegal, 48, of Benton on a warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of filing a false report.

August 1st

• Deputies responded at 4 p.m. to a domestic dispute in rural Benton that resulted in the arrest of Jonathan S. Bishop, 24, of Macedonia on a charge of domestic battery, as well as an outstanding Saline County warrant for domestic battery.
• Deputies arrested Michael E. Matzker, 47, of Benton on a warrant for violation of probation.

August 2nd

• Deputies responded at 6:25 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash on Rt. 14 at Rend City Road. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2008 Ford pickup driven by Katherine L. Baseden, 25, of Pomona was eastbound on Rt. 14 and attempting to negotiate a left turn onto Rend City Road when Baseden failed to notice a westbound 2004 Kia Optima driven by Mei Yun Merson, 46, of Valier. The driver of the Kia sustained major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott’s EMS. Baseden was not injured and was ticketed for improper lane usage.
• Deputies arrested Ryan C. Godwin, 31, of Christopher on a warrant for violation of probation.

August 3rd

• Deputies arrested Melissa A. Matter, 46, of West Frankfort on a warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of endangering the health and safety of a child.
• Deputies arrested Daniel R. Valco, 20, of Herrin on a warrant for failure to appear on original traffic charges.
• Deputies arrested Dusty A. Messamore, 25, of Benton on a warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of domestic battery.
• Deputies arrested Chelsea R. Barnfield, 22, of Benton on a warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of domestic battery.

All charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, Slider

Three men murdered at a Wisconsin dragstrip last night

August 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/wisconsin/2017/08/13/shooting-great-lakes-dragaway-injures-several-people/563695001/

UNION GROVE, WI (Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.  Please click on the link for the full story and video above.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Three men were shot to death at Great Lakes Dragaway on Sunday, Kenosha County sheriff’s officials said.

The suspect remains at large, Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth said at a news conference Sunday night. Authorities are searching for a black vehicle, he said.

The victims were shot at “point blank” range, he said.

The suspect was described as a black man in his 20s wearing blue jean shorts and a black hoodie.

The sheriff said he didn’t know if the gunman knew the victims.

Filed Under: Breaking News, National News

City Council Donates $5,000 to Park District Basketball Court Project

August 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wfgazette.com/news/city-council-donates-to-park-district-basketball-court-project/article_6b6d1d72-7a25-11e7-9734-934a4dd83854.html

Jim McPhail, park board president, accepts a check from the West Frankfort City Council for $5,000 for refurbishing the basketball courts at the park. (William McPherson, Gazette photo.)

WEST FRANKFORT, IL (William McPherson, West Frankfort Gazette.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.

The City of West Frankfort approved a donation to the West Frankfort Park District for the refurbishing of the dilapidated basketball courts.

“I went out there after you were here, and those basketball goals are the ones I played on in 1966 or before. And the council, we kind of collectively talked about this and suggested that the city donate $5,000 from our youth fund—for those of you that don’t know we take half of the money we get for gaming and put it into an account for the youth of West Frankfort. I can’t think of a more worthy cause than to give $5,000 to the park district,” added West Frankfort Mayor Tom Jordan.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, West Frankfort News

Heat and humidity returning…..long range forecast shows sunny on elcipse day

August 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

NWS Paducah image

Eclipse forecast for Monday August 21, 2017, Sunny with a highs in the upper 80’s.

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

An isolated thunderstorm is possible near the Kentucky and
Tennessee border late this afternoon, mainly east of the Land
Between The Lakes. Otherwise, no hazardous weather is anticipated
today or tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Tuesday through Sunday

Scattered thunderstorm activity will expand west-to-east across
most of the region by Tuesday evening, and will be common across
the region through the day Thursday. A few strong storms cannot be
ruled out. Another system may provide isolated thunderstorms
during the first half of the weekend.

Heat indices greater than 100 are possible at some locations
Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation is not anticipated.

 

Seven Day Forecast

Today
Isolated showers between 7am and 11am. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight
Patchy fog between 10pm and 2am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Light south wind.
Tuesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Light south wind.
Wednesday
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Light south wind becoming south southwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 5 to 7 mph.
Thursday
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Southwest wind around 8 mph.
Thursday Night
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. West northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph.
Friday Night
A slight chance of showers after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. North northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Light southwest wind.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 3 to 5 mph.
Tiles © ESRI

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, Slider

Senate Overrides Gov. Rauner’s amendatory veto of SB 1

August 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment

By Steve Dunford

Senate President John Cullerton called the Senate to special session this afternoon.  Senate Bill 0001.  Governor Rauner had an amendatory veto to remove from the bill, a bailout of the Chicago pension fund.

There was a dispute whether an override needed a majority or super majority (60%).  The bill passed 36-18 this afternoon.  Local Senators Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) and Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo) voted against the override.

Here is a statement issued by Dale Fowler, about the action of the Senate this afternoon.

“It’s unfortunate Senate Democrats voted to override the Governor’s school funding reform plan, a plan that would have provided the 38 school districts in my district $7.5  million more than under Senate Bill 1,” said Fowler.  “I remain hopeful that we can continue to work toward a compromise that treats all Illinois school districts fairly, especially those in downstate Illinois.  The time for partisan gamesmanship is over, the students of Illinois deserve nothing less than our best effort.” 

There will be further updates as information becomes available.

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

ISBE: Nearly all Illinois school districts would receive more state funding under Rauner reform plan

August 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/isbe-nearly-all-illinois-school-districts-would-receive-more-state/article_340a4446-7f74-11e7-b944-afdb58d640ad.html

SPRINGFIELD, IL  – (Dan McCaleb – Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

More than 97.5 percent of Illinois schools receive more state dollars under Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amended funding reform plan than they would under Democrats’ plan in Senate Bill 1, according to an analysis by the independent State Board of Education.

Forty-four school districts receive more than $1 million more under Rauner’s plan, and the 3 percent of school districts that receive less money under Rauner’s plan still receive more than they did last year, ISBE’s review found.

Released Saturday to the governor’s office and majority Democrats in the General Assembly, the ISBE analysis was conducted after Rauner vetoed SB1 to remove more than $120 million in additional annual funding for Chicago Public Schools to bail out its failing pension system and to more accurately reflect how the funding reform formula calculates district wealth.

Filed Under: Breaking News, State News

Moderate warm up….August like conditions will return

August 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Pleasant conditions will continue today, with cooler than average afternoon highs, easterly winds, and relatively low humidity. There is a slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm near the Arkansas state line in southeastern Missouri. Higher humidity returns on Monday, so enjoy it while it lasts. (NWS Paducah)

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwestern Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeastern
Missouri.

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

There is a slight chance of thunderstorm development near the
Arkansas and Tennessee state lines tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Monday through Saturday

Scattered thunderstorms may develop mainly over parts of southeastern
Missouri and western Kentucky Monday through Tuesday. Coverage of
thunderstorms will expand across the entire region Tuesday night.
Lightning and locally heavy rain will be the primary hazards.

There is a daily chance of thunderstorms for all or parts of the
region Wednesday through Saturday. Localized torrential downpours
may produce rainfall amounts in excess of an inch an hour. An
isolated damaging wind gust or two is possible.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation is not anticipated.

 

Seven Day Forecast

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. East wind 3 to 5 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Light east northeast wind.
Monday
Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming south southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Light south southeast wind.
Tuesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 3 to 5 mph.
Wednesday
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. South southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South southwest wind around 7 mph.
Thursday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. West southwest wind 7 to 9 mph.
Thursday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West southwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind 3 to 5 mph.
Friday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Light northwest wind.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. West wind 3 to 5 mph.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, Slider

Fowler meets with Ben Carson in Cairo and makes his rounds across the 59th district

August 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press release from Senator Dale Fowler

I am unsure of the gentleman on the left, then HUD director, Dr. Ben Carson, Senator Fowler and Congressman Mike Bost. (photo from Sen. Dale Fowler)

HARRISBURG, IL – Cairo’s ongoing housing situation drew national media attention to Southern Illinois this week, as U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Dr. Ben Carson visited the confluence community. Small businesses were also on the mind of State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) as he made the “rounds” within the 59th Senate District.

Dr. Carson’s visit to the region marks the first time in many years that a federal-level cabinet secretary has visited. While the plight of the residents of Elmwood and McBride housing complexes was the focus of Carson’s stop in Alexander County, the Secretary also met with Senator Fowler.

Senator Fowler had the opportunity to chat about the proposed Alexander County – Cairo Port Terminal and the positive economic impact that is could have on the entire region. Senator Fowler viewed the Secretary’s visit as a positive, showing a much higher level of interest in the situation than the former federal administrators from early 2009 to early 2017.
Small business and local visits dominated the Senator’s attention after Secretary Carson’s visit on August 8. A number of small businesses have been started in Golconda, Marion, and other points across the 59th. Golconda will again have access to hardware and other home fixtures after entrepreneurs reopened the once-shuttered location in the downtown Ohio River Community. Additionally, in the always bustling Marion, a local woman has opened a new t-shirt and children’s clothing store.

Senator Fowler made a trip to the rural Alexander Community of Olive Branch to view firsthand the economic impact of nearly 20,000 acres of farm land being taken out of production. The situation in Alexander County is because of the Len Small Levee breech from a number of years ago. As a result, the County is losing precious local property tax dollars, because several thousand acres have been silted over with sands from the Mississippi River making planting commodities nearly impossible. Additionally, 90 homes in the river bottoms have been made nearly unlivable and local residents are hoping the federal government will be able to repair the levee.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, Slider
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