While the opioid epidemic keeps claiming the lives of Americans, deaths from another drug are picking up.
Here’s a link to the story at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
City Assembly to Shut Down Trump: Residents speak out against presidential visit
October 24, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Carbondale residents and others planned to protest against a visit by President Donald Trump, but those plans were thwarted when Mayor Mike Henry cancelled the Tuesday night meeting due to what he called “credible indications that there will be multiple acts of civil disobedience” in a prepared statement to The Southern Illinoisan last week.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
Waterfowl Hunting Opportunity Available at Rend Lake
October 24, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake is offering the opportunity for hunters with disabilities to enjoy the sport of waterfowl hunting. A specially designed in-ground waterfowl pit, located just east of the Mine 21 parking area, features a gradually sloping sidewalk which provides easy access to persons with mobility impairments.
A sliding roll-top allows for easy shooting while providing maximum camouflage. The pit accommodates parties of up to 5 hunters. All hunters are required to hunt from within the pit and must abide by all Federal, State, and Rend Lake site-specific hunting regulations. Rend Lake is in the South Central Zone for Illinois, Canada Goose season runs November 10, 2018 through January 31, 2019. Duck season runs November 10, 2018 through January 8, 2019.
The Rend Lake waterfowl pit is available by reservation, to persons with disabilities, during the main goose season. A reservation allows a disabled person and up to 4 able-bodied assistants to hunt the waterfowl pit on the date their reservation is valid. Persons with a reservation are allowed to pull their vehicles close to the blind for parking and unloading. A reservation to hunt the waterfowl pit can be made by either of these methods:
- Submit an application in person by bringing it to the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- Call the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center at (618) 724-2493 during regular business hours and reserve the site over the phone.
Applicants will be contacted to confirm the date of their hunt and a permit will be issued. Disabled hunters must be accompanied by at least one able-bodied person who can assist with all aspects of the hunt. On days that the waterfowl pit has not been reserved by a disabled hunter, it will be available to any group of hunters (disabled or able-bodied) wishing to utilize it on a first-come, first-served basis. Walk-in hunters do not require an application or a reservation and may access the area by walking from the Mine 21 parking lot to the blind.
For additional information, contact Molly Rawlinson or Cassie Magsig, at the Rend Lake Project Office, 618-724-2493.
Franklin County Sheriff’s report
October 23, 2018 By Leave a Comment
10-12-18 at 8:14 am Deputies responded to a report of a fight in progress at a residence in Royalton. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Richard E. King age 52 of Royalton and Jonathan C. Love age 43 of Christopher. Both men were charged with battery.
10-13-18 at 8:24 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Il. Rt. 14 in Buckner. A 2015 Chevrolet driven by Robin L. Vinyard age 45 of Buckner, was east bound and stopped in traffic to negotiate a right turn onto Market Street in Buckner. A 1999 Silverado Pick-Up, driven by Dalton K. Risley age 16 of Sesser, was also east bound behind the Vinyard vehicle and struck the Vinyard vehicle in a rear-end type crash. Neither driver was injured; however, a 48 year old male passenger, Chad M. Vinyard of Buckner, suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott E.M.S. Risley was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.
10-13-18 at 11:38 pm Deputies responded to a reported single vehicle traffic crash that had occurred at the intersection of Crocker Road and Il. Rt. 148 north of Sesser. It was reported that the red Chevrolet driven by a male subject had been east bound on Crocker Road, struck the stop sign at the intersection with Rt. 148, traveled into a ditch striking a Frontier cable box and then a fence. The vehicle then fled the scene south on Rt. 148. A Deputy was able to locate the vehicle on the north edge of Sesser. The vehicle was a 2009 Chevrolet Impala, driven by Brian L. Sledge age 40 of Sesser. Sledge was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a property damage crash, driving under the influence of alcohol and illegal transportation of alcohol.
10-14-18 at 2:33 pm Deputies responded to a disturbance at a residence in rural Benton. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Jennifer R. Shelton age 29 of West Frankfort for criminal trespass to a residence and resisting arrest.
10-14-18 at 10:17 pm Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash in rural Thompsonville. A 1997 Ford Ranger Pick-Up had crashed on Timothy Lane at Ross Briley Road. The driver had left the scene and was located the following day. The driver, Steven M. Bruce age 29 of West Frankfort, was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and leaving the scene of a property damage crash.
10-15-18 at 9:43 am Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Il. Rt. 37 one mile south of the Franklin-Jefferson county line. A 2016 Hyundai driven by Elva R. Scantlan age 83 of Harrisburg, was north bound on Rt. 37 and came to a complete stop as directed by an I.D.O.T. flagman in a single lane construction zone. A 2004 Chevrolet driven by Rebecca L. Reese age 18 of Christopher, was also north bound, failed to stop and struck the Hyundai in a rear-end type crash. There were no injuries and Reese was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.
10-15-18 at 4:52 pm Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in Buckner. The investigation resulted in the arrest of a 15 year old female for domestic battery.
10-17-18 at 10:38 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Il. Rt. 184 at Hyde Park Road. A 1995 Ford driven by Marcus S. Jennings age 34 of Royalton was south bound and in the process of negotiating a right turn onto Hyde Park Road. A 2008 Kawasaki Motorcycle driven by Matthew W. Loucks age 23 of Sesser was north bound on Rt. 184 and crossed into the south bound lane and struck the Ford on the driver’s side. The motorcycle rider was ejected and received major injuries. Abbott E.M.S. and Royalton first responders also responded to the scene. The injured driver was flown out to an out of state hospital by Air Evac. The driver of the car was not injured. The crash is still under investigation.
10-18-18 at 7:30 am Deputies arrested Robert E. Withrow age 47 of Mulkeytown as a result of an investigation of his sex offender registration status. Withrow was charged with a violation of the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Statue.
10-19-18 at 10:17 pm Deputies were investigating a series of thefts that have been occurring in Valier and were also attempting to locate an individual wanted on a warrant. A search of a residence was conducted utilizing K-9 Diego. The wanted subject, Shawn P. Zook age 41 of Macedonia, was located by K-9 Diego hiding in a false wall behind a water heater in the bathroom of the residence.
The subject was wanted on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on a charge of leaving the scene of a crash involving personal injury. He is also now charged with obstructing justice. Also arrested for obstructing justice was Ryan A. Karabec age 34 of DuQuoin. More arrest and charges are anticipated.
WARRANT ARRESTS
10-11-18 Chase M. Johnson age 25 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear on aggravated battery of a child.
10-11-18 Britny L. Sutton age 22 of Christopher. Failure to appear for felony theft and retail theft.
10-11-18 Loren J. Owens age 38 of Benton. Failure to appear on traffic charges.
10-13-18 Catlin D. Boswell age 21 of Tamaroa. Failure to appear for aggravated battery.
10-14-18 Shane F. Utley age 30 of Marion. Failure to appear for domestic battery.
10-14-18 Cody L. Collins age 21 of Woodlawn. Failure to appear for possession of cannabis.
10-14-18 Brieanne E. Johnson age 24 of Carbondale. Failure to appear for criminal trespass to property.
10-15-18 Michael A. Meinert age 42 of Benton. Failure to appear for criminal damage to property.
10-16-18 Dustin M. Jones age 25 of DuQuoin. Failure to appear for domestic battery.
10-17-18 Todd M. Taylor age 36 of Desoto. Failure to appear for theft, obstructing justice and traffic charges.
10-18-18 Jennifer L. McNabb age 50 of Eldorado. Failure to appear for a Saline County warrant for possession of illegal gambling devices.
10-18-18 Candace V. Perez age 33 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear for unlawful violation of an order of protection and domestic battery.
10-18-18 Virginia A. Campbell-Melton age 47 of Sesser. Petition to revoke probation. Unlawful possession of methamphetamine.
10-18-18 Michael L. Smith age 45 of Opdyke. Failure to appear for retail theft.
10-19-18 Crystal M. Rold age 40 of Marion. Failure to appear for fraud.
10-19-18 Michael D. Needham age 22 of Cambria. Failure to appear on traffic charges.
10-19-18 James L. Weir age 21 of Herrin. Failure to appear for obstructing identification.
Should Illinois kill its ‘death tax?’
October 23, 2018 By Leave a Comment
After the federal government and the majority of states have scrapped it, should Illinois do away with its “death tax?”
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Illinois’ Department of Natural Resources is telling deer hunters about a few changes for the 2018 deer hunting season.
October 23, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Illinois’ Department of Natural Resources is telling deer hunters about a few changes for the 2018 deer hunting season.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
RLC Foundation Children’s Center celebrates 20th birthday
October 23, 2018 By Leave a Comment
INA, Ill.– Rend Lake College students and graduates, faculty and staff, and children of all ages came together last week to celebrate two decades of learning for the smallest Warriors on campus. The RLC Foundation Children’s Center officially turned 20 this fall and everyone gathered for a birthday party.
Attendees at the RLC Foundation Children’s Center’s 20th Birthday Party gathered for a group photo in the Skill Development Room, the most-recent expansion at the RLCFCC which opened in 2016. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
The event opened with an introduction from Kay Zibby-Damron, RLC Foundation CEO. She briefly covered the Foundation’s history with the Children’s Center.
The desire for a children’s center was the number one need cited by students and staff in the 1988 North Central Accreditation Report for the college a decade before the RLCFCC opened its doors. Because of the efforts of two major donors – Marjorie Farrar and Coyn Mateer – the Foundation Board was able to complete the fund raising challenge and open the RLCFCC doors in the Fall of 1998. Farrar made the initial lead gift of $100,000 in 1995, which was matched by Mateer.
In 2014, Farrar and her family made a second $100,000 donation to aid in fund raising efforts to construct the Skill Development Room. This donation was followed by a significant gift from an anonymous donor, and the doors to the expansion opened in the fall of 2016. The new 1,500-square-foot Skill Development Room – where the birthday party celebration was held – provides the children with an indoor recreational space and a learning library.
RLC Foundation CEO Kay Zibby-Damron kicked off the event with words of welcome and special recognition of honored guests. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
“I want you to know, on behalf of the Foundation, that we’re extremely grateful for all the businesses and individuals who care about our college and care about our students, and who offer us their financial support,” said Kay Zibby-Damron.
The RLCFCC has, for 20 years, served as a hands-on learning lab for students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program. Current RLCFCC Director Brooke May was one of the first students to utilize the center as a student. In fact, all of the current teacher’s assistants employed at the RLCFCC are graduates of the ECE program.
“Looking back at my time spent in the Children’s Center as an ECE student when the doors were first opened brings nothing but great memories,” said May. “The Children’s Center holds a very special place in my heart and I am beyond proud that I now have the privilege of being the Director and the opportunity to interact with and mentor this generation of ECE students and teachers.”
Brenda Heinzmann, ECE Professor, also addressed the audience at the celebration, speaking about the Center’s history from her perspective. Heinzmann was the first Preschool teacher hired at the RLCFCC in 1998. She also served as the Assistant Director for two years before taking on the Director position in 2000.
Professor Brenda Heinzmann of RLC’s Early Childhood Education program gave a history lesson to attendees during the event. Heinzmann was one of the original teachers in the RLCFCC when it opened in 1998. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
“When we first thought about opening this center, there were three things they told us. You need to have quality care, you have to make sure it’s a developmental lab for your students, and you have to have 75 percent of your students as the children of Rend Lake College students,” said Heinzmann. “We thought sometimes that we would never see the doors open because of construction and weather delays, but they finally did. We worked our tails off to get the Center ready to go. We had so much to do. But it was so fun and we were so excited. It was a wonderful time.”
Heinzmann continued, “Fast forward 20 years, the Children’s Center is today what it is because of three factors. Number one, the Rend Lake College Foundation. They were financially the reason we were allowed to be what we are. The second thing was the administrators who came in and said, ‘This is an asset to our campus to have these young children here every day.’ And the third, and most importantly in my book, is the labor force of people who come here every day and do such an awesome job. I’m like the proud momma who says, ‘Those are my girls,’ because so many of you have gone through the program. Happy birthday to the Rend Lake College Foundation Children’s Center.”
Jake Scattone, CENTER, is a member of the first graduating class from the RLCFCC in 2002. He holds current students Levin Schulte, 3, of Bonnie, LEFT, and Isla Wheeler, 4, of Mt. Vernon. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
The RLCFCC has been licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) since opening in 1998. Since 2000, they have also maintained accreditation from the National Association of the Education of Young Children. In 2014, they became the first Gold Circle of Quality program in the state from ExceleRate Illinois. The RLCFCC has also maintained the Early Childhood Block Grant for Preschool since 2005.
To learn more about the RLCFCC, visit www.rlc.edu/children-s-center or call 618-437-5321, Ext. 1393.
Nominees sought for Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission
October 23, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Governor invites interested parties to apply
SPRINGFIELD — Illinoisans with an interest in history in general — and the Mother Road in particular — are encouraged to nominate themselves for open seats on the recently created Route 66 Centennial Commission.
The commission’s 20 members will develop plans for celebrating the famous highway’s 100th anniversary, coming up in 2026. Gov. Bruce Rauner, who signed legislation creating the commission in July, shall appoint three public members, one of whom shall lead the commission. The governor said today he looks forward to reviewing nominations for what certainly will be a fun, but also an economically important, public service opportunity.
“Illinois holds the distinction of being the starting point for this legendary highway, and we are proud of the historic preservation efforts that have boosted tourism along our portion of Route 66,” Rauner said. “The 100th anniversary of this iconic road is worthy of celebrating all along its path.
“But I am confident that the members of this commission will ensure that Illinois plays host to events and activities that will be the envy of Mother Road states, and I encourage anyone interested to apply.”
“Illinois is leading the way on Route 66 as we plan for the 100th birthday of the world’s most famous road,” said Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, the chief House sponsor of House Bill 66 and a member of the Illinois House Committee on Tourism, Hospitality and Craft Industry. “The Route 66 Centennial celebration gives us a unique opportunity to focus the world on our State, the place where the Mother Road begins. I look forward to working with the Commission to plan for a tremendous year.”
The commission shall meet at least quarterly. Applications for gubernatorial appointments can be made online here.
Along with the governor’s selections, eight appointments to the commission shall be made by Senate and House majority and minority leaders. Also serving on the commission will be the president of the Route 66 Association of Illinois and the executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, or their designees.
Rounding out the commission shall be seven ex-officio members to include the following officials or their designees: the governor, the secretary of the Department of Transportation; the director of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency; the Department of Natural Resources director; the director of the Office of Tourism; the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity director; and the director of the State Archives.
Commentary: Campaign ads and whoppers
October 23, 2018 By Leave a Comment
For months, the campaign website of Republican state Senate candidate Barrett Davie of Lake Forest has featured a video of him describing his position on abortion: “I’m pro-choice because I believe that having an abortion would be the hardest decision that anyone would ever have to make in their lives,” he says, looking into the camera.
Here’s a link to the column at the Chicago Tribune.
8 arrested, $50,000 and 17 pounds of meth seized in drug bust spanning Southern Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri
October 22, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Eight people have been arrested and $50,000 and more than 17 pounds of meth have been seized by authorities in a drug bust that spanned the tristate area.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
