from Matt Rice, District Director for Congressman Mike Bost

CAIRO, IL – U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-Muprhysboro) today joined U.S. Housing Secretary Ben Carson in Cairo for a review of public housing units, a roundtable with local officials, and a public forum with residents of the Elmwood and McBride housing complexes.  Bost invited Carson to visit Cairo in writing and during a meeting in Bost’s Washington, D.C. office in July.

“I appreciate Secretary Carson accepting our invitation to visit Cairo,” said Bost.  “These were tough conversations, but it was important that federal housing officials be able to put a face to these stories of struggle.  That’s why I knew there was no substitute for having the secretary on the ground with us in Cairo.  I am hopeful that this continued dialogue will spur new solutions to save Cairo and help these families transition to safer and more stable living conditions.”

Board approves tentative Fiscal Year 2018 budget

The board approved the tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2018. As required by law, the budget will be available for public inspection for 30 days, and a public hearing on the budget will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017, prior to the regular board meeting.

The board approved the appointment of four new employees Tuesday.
·         Chris Edwards, Computer Networking Instructor, effective Aug. 8, 2017. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Systems Technology from Southern Illinois University and an Associate in Applied Science Degree as an IT Systems Specialist from RLC. He has been an adjunct instructor for computer networking and unmanned aircraft systems since August 2013.
·         Colin Jones, Diesel Technology Instructor, effective Aug. 8, 2017. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Technical Resource Management from Southern Illinois University and an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Heavy Equipment Technology from Rend Lake College. He has been an adjunct instructor for diesel technology, ag mechanics and heavy equipment technology at RLC since January 2014.
·         Allison Rapp, Business Office Specialist, effective Aug. 7, 2017. She holds an Associate in Applied Science Degree from Rend Lake College and most recently served as a deputy clerk for the Illinois Appellate Court.
·         Reece Rutland, Marketing Specialist, effective Aug. 8, 2017. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from University of Illinois at Springfield. He has worked part-time in the Marketing and Public Information Department since September 2016, and previously served as coordinator of the Southern Illinois University Service Center on campus.
Expansion of duties for two administrators
Two administrators will take on additional duties after board action Tuesday.
·         Lori Ragland became the Vice President of Instruction after the board approved expanding the job duties, revising the job description and filling this position effective Aug. 8. Ragland previously had been Vice President of Career Technical Instruction and now will oversee all instruction.
·         Chad Copple became Dean of Communications and Marketing upon board action expanding the job duties, revising the job description and creating the position effective Aug. 8. Copple previously had been Director of Marketing and Public Information; in addition to those responsibilities, he now additionally will oversee Information Technology and will be responsible for several Higher Learning Commission functions.
Resignations from two
The board accepted with regret two resignations Tuesday.
·         Kathy Evans, Title III Curriculum Specialist, effective Aug. 30, 2017. She had been with the college full-time since January 2014. “I want to start by thanking Rend Lake College for the opportunities I have been given in service to the community,” Evans wrote in her resignation letter. “The district is fortunate to have an institution that remains student focused.”
·         Sylvia Moore, Nursing Instructor, effective Aug. 2, 2017. She had been hired in June 2017 with an effective date of Aug. 13, 2017, but has since accepted a position at Southeastern Illinois College. RLC and SIC are partnering on their nursing programs, and Moore still will be working with both institutions.

The board heard a report on the college’s reaffirmation of accreditation activities. The college is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is due for an evaluation by the HLC in September 2018. Several working and writing sessions were held July 19-20, and the What’s Up Committee has begun its work of publicizing the HLC process and the revised mission statement and documents. The Quality Initiative report, which focuses on RLC’s First-Year Experience program, has been submitted to HLC for their review. The QI is a major component of HLC’s Open Pathway for reaffirmation of accreditation.

In curriculum matters …
The board approved two new courses, Medications in Nursing and Registered Nurse Review. Also approved were changes to 10 existing courses and the Associate Degree Nursing curriculum. The Medical Laboratory Technology, Occupational Therapy Assistant and Veterinary Technology programs were inactivated and the Surgical Technology curriculum was withdrawn. Additionally, 11 courses were withdrawn.
In other business, the board …
·         Ratified payment of college expenses, including travel reimbursements, as presented.
·         Approved revisions to salaries for the 2018 fiscal year.
·         Approved revisions to college procedure concerning fees and the organizational chart.
·         Heard a report from Dr. Elizabeth Bailey-Smith of the Academic Council covering the curriculum matters taken up by the board Tuesday and reporting on additional meetings and activities.
Mark your calendars …
·         Faculty Orientation, 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, RLC Theatre.
·         Student Learning Day, Friday, Aug. 11, RLC campus.
·         Super Saturday, noon-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, on campus.
·         Class of RLC Reunion – 50th Anniversary Celebration, 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, on campus.
·         First Day of Fall Classes, Monday, Aug. 14.
·         Jerome Wiseheart: Painting Lecture and Demonstration, 9:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14, RLC Theatre.
·         Veterinary Assistant Program Grand Opening, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, David L. Stanley White County Center, Carmi.
·         Glo Bingo, Saturday, Sept. 9, The Rec on campus; dinner 5:30-6:30 p.m., games begin at 7 p.m. Dinner is $10, bingo is $25 for six cards, $5 per additional six cards; meal and bingo pack combo for a discounted rate of $30. More than $1,000 in cash prizes, 50/50 raffle, silent auction and more. Must be 18 to play. Funds raised will go toward improvements of the college library.

WANTED — Two positions are open with Franklin County News Online. We will be hiring a part-time salesperson to cover the Franklin County area and also a writer to cover local meetings and sporting events within the county.

For more information about these positions please send your resume to jmuir@frontier.com or call 618-525-4744. Franklin County News Online is an equal opportunity employer.

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/36082855/17-year-old-held-at-gunpoint-woman-arrested-in-metropolis-il

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

Two women are in custody after officers in Metropolis, Illinois were called to a residence in the 300 block of Girard Street.

Officers were informed that a 17-year-old female was being held by gunpoint against her will at the residence in the basement.

Officers made contact with Lucy Jean V. Hall, 23, of Metropolis, Il.  According to officers, she refused to let them into the residence and would not show her hands.  After attempting to negotiate with her to open the door, officers forced their way in.

Hall then ran through the house in an attempt to escape. After a struggle, Hall was taken into custody.