PEORIA — Harry Canterbury is a native Peorian who’s not happy with what he’s seen happen to the city.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal from former Bolingbrook police officer Drew Peterson that sought to undo his murder conviction in the death of his third wife, a decision that possibly leaves Peterson with no more legal options in the case.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Hundreds of guns that were stolen from a United Parcel Service facility in Tennessee were recovered Tuesday in the Chicago area, federal authorities said.

Here’s a link to the story.

INA, Ill. – Local physician and Rend Lake College Board of Trustee member Dr. David Asbery of Mt. Vernon has been honored with the 2018 Physician of Excellence Award from the Illinois Rural Health Association (IRHA).

RLC Dean of Allied Health Kim Wilkerson nominated Dr. Asbery for the award earlier this year. She said Dr. Asbery was her first thought when it came to local outstanding physicians.

“When I first became involved with the IRHA, I began to see physicians from the state being recognized for their work, but our area physicians were not included. Dr. Asbery came to my mind,” said Wilkerson.

She continued, “I hear students on campus talk about the care they were given when they had children. I hear them talk about how great their interactions were with Dr. Asbery during clinical rotations. And it’s not only at the college where I hear his name; it’s the whole community. He is a very community-focused physician.”

Former Board of Trustee member Eric Black, pharmacist and owner of The Medicine Shoppe in Mt. Vernon, penned a letter to the selection committee in support of Dr. Asbery’s nomination. In the letter, he highlighted Dr. Asbery’s commitment to both his patients and the community.

“David and his wife Kathy have a generous heart and have been so giving with their time and financial resources. In fact, I have had the pleasure of service with David on the Rend Lake College Board where he has been a knowledgeable asset for some years now,” wrote Black. “When your committee considers the nominees for this award, no doubt you will have several wonderful individuals to choose from. I submit that you will find none more committed, none more deserving, and none more hard working than Dr. David Asbery.”

Black’s letter continues to address the reasoning for Dr. Asbery to be the award recipient as someone who has gone above and beyond in local communities. Black illustrates Dr. Asbery’s devotion to top notch medical techniques and his dedication to his patients.

“…He has opened [obstetrician] clinics in several small towns and villages around Mt. Vernon and has increased convenience and care for hundreds of patients. David has continued growing his abilities and patient care by being one of the first in our area to be certified on the DaVinci robotic surgery system. I have heard many wonderful compliments from his patients both on his surgical abilities and kindhearted bedside manner. He has developed a very loyal patient base for good reason,” the letter states.

Margaret Vaughn, Executive Director of the IRHA, will honor Dr. Asbery at a reception this fall where the Illinois General Assembly will also recognize his efforts.

In her announcement, Vaughn wrote to Dr. Asbery, “On behalf of the Illinois Rural Health Association, I would like to congratulate you on being selected to receive our 2018 Physician of Excellence Award. You were selected because IRHA feels you have gone above and beyond the call of duty, to make a significant impact in improving the quality delivery of health care in the rural community you serve.”

Voting for seats on the Illinois High School Association Board of Directors and Legislative Commission closed at midnight on Monday, October 1, and the results were tallied and certified Tuesday morning, October 2.

Dr. Joyce Kenner, Principal at Whitney Young High School in Chicago, who served two terms on the Board from 2005 to 2011, was elected to an at-large seat, replacing Gerald Morrow. Todd Rogers, Principal at Carterville High School, was elected to the Division 7 seat, replacing B. Kent Jones, who retired. Re-elected to the board was Tim Moore, Principal of Bloomington High School, who ran unopposed in Division 5.

The Board will elect its officers for the 2018-19 school term at its regular meeting on Wednesday, October 10.

IHSA member schools nominated candidates for the Board of Directors and Legislative Commission beginning on August 10. The nominations were counted on September 17 and votes were cast from September 20 through October 1.

Results of the election are listed below. The names of the candidates are indicated in the following list, with an asterisk preceding the name of the person elected to each seat.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 
DIVISION 5:
*Tim Moore, Bloomington (H.S.)
(unopposed)

DIVISION 7:
*Todd Rogers, Carterville
John Boles, Salem

AT-LARGE (MINORITY):
*Joyce Kenner, Chicago (Whitney Young)
Shaka Rawls, Chicago (Leo)

LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION – Principals
DISTRICT 1:
*Paul Karafiol, Chicago (Lake View)
Mark Schall, Chicago (Prosser)

DISTRICT 4:
*Jeff Wardle, Buffalo Grove
Karen Booth, River Grove (Guerin)

DISTRICT 5:
*Tom Rogers, Geneva
Chuck Hiscock, Aurora (West Aurora)

DISTRICT 10:
*Mark Kuehl, Lena (L.-Winslow)
Drew Popejoy, Rockford (R. Christian)

DISTRICT 11:
*Jason Spang, Manlius (Bureau Valley)
Mike Berentes, Rock Falls

DISTRICT 15:
no candidate — Board of Directors will appoint a commissioner

DISTRICT 16:
*Brad Gooding, Rushville (R.-Industry)
Jody Steinke, Quincy (Sr.)

DISTRICT 17:
*Joe Kuhlmann, Bluffs
Nick Roscetti, Jacksonville (Routt)

DISTRICT 21:
*Brett Detering, Anna (A.-Jonesboro)
(unopposed)

LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION — Athletic Administrators
DIVISION 3:
*Art Ostrow, Darien (Hinsdale South)
Chris Gibson, Peotone

DIVISION 6:
*Adam Eucker, Williamsville
Brent Grisham, Mt. Pulaski

LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION — At-Large Minority or Underrepresented Gender
DIVISION 1:
*Ramona Fannings, Chicago (Harlan)
Eileen O’Reilly, Chicago (Mother McAuley)

DIVISION 4:
*Gary Griffin, Rockford (East)
Rosemarie Brubaker, Freeport (Aquin)

DIVISION 6:
*Heather Greer, Pleasant Plains
Kara Rapacz, Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin)

DIVISION 7:
*Jennifer Haertling, Steeleville
(unopposed)

MURPHYSBORO — A 67-year-old Murphysboro man is dead after he crashed his pickup truck into the side of a moving train Tuesday morning.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

First-ever Governor’s Summit showcases best practices, urges expansion

PEORIA — Hundreds of business and workforce leaders met today with Gov. Bruce Rauner, Illinois education officials and state agency representatives for a first-ever Governor’s Summit highlighting work-based learning initiatives statewide.

Rauner hosted the summit, entitled WORK LEARN GROW: Pathways to the Jobs of Illinois’ Future, at Illinois Central College in East Peoria. The Greater Peoria area was among communities featured for its successful initiatives.

“Internship, apprenticeship and other work-based learning programs provide Illinoisans with the hands-on training that leads to greater economic security and prosperity for individuals, and a steady flow of skilled, ready workers for businesses,” Rauner said. “The importance of efforts on this front cannot be overemphasized. I applaud the leaders whose successful programs are being featured today, and I implore everyone to continue to expand this great work.”

The summit is one result of a $80,000 grant awarded to Illinois by the National Governors Association to expand work-based learning programs. Throughout the day, successful programs were highlighted, including the apprenticeship program established by Aon and City Colleges of Chicago and the collaborative business and educational initiative to establish a sustainable talent pipeline in Greater Peoria.

In addition to featuring the great work already under way, a new website was launched during today’s summit to provide K-12, higher education and adult learners and employers with streamlined information and resources, https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/wlg/Pages/default.aspx.

Deputy Gov. Leslie Munger, recently named interim director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, said today’s summit reflected the forward thinking that Illinois needs to grow and prosper.

“It is through programs like these that we will build a pipeline of talent for the jobs of the future,” she said. “This is best accomplished through early education and supporting Illinois businesses.”

Martin Simon of the National Governors Association also applauded today’s summit and Illinois’ ongoing work-based learning efforts.

“Through our policy academy on scaling work-based learning, the National Governors Association is supporting states, including Illinois, in expanding high-quality, work-based learning programs such as apprenticeships and internships,” said Simon, who is interim director of the NGA’s Center for Best Practices Economic Opportunity Division. “By integrating work-based learning into the state’s talent pipeline systems, Illinois can establish clear career pathways for young people and develop a workforce with the skills and credentials to meet the needs of the state’s economy today and into the future.”

Today’s gathering was a joint effort of the governor’s education team and the DCEO, in addition to several other state agencies, external partners and the Governor’s Cabinet on Children and Youth’s Workforce Readiness through Apprenticeships & Pathways (WRAP) Committee.

INA, Ill.  – Reserve your seat today for Rend Lake College’s third Glo Bingo event. Locals are invited to play at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16 at the RLC Rec, located on the Ina campus, to raise funds for the campus’ Learning Resource Center (LRC).

When doors open at 5:30 p.m., Glo Bingo tickets will cost $25, which includes six bingo cards, a glow hat, and a glow dabber. Additional bingo cards are available for purchase for $5 per six cards. Attendees who purchase tickets early can do so for a discounted rate of $20.

Competitors will have the chance to win over $1,000 in cash prizes. Additionally, there will be a 50/50 raffle, silent auction, and early bird and middle bird raffle game cards available at the door. Concessions will also be sold throughout the evening.

Seats for the event are limited. Glo Bingo participants must be over the age of 18. No outside food or beverages are allowed. The LRC will also be selling 2019 St. Louis Cardinals calendars during the event.

For more information or to purchase advance tickets, contact the LRC at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1308. For groups interested in participating, tables can be reserved by calling ahead for advance ticket purchases. The event is sponsored by the RLC Foundation.

CHICAGO — Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti today hosted the State of Illinois Filipino American History Month celebration together with the Illinois Bicentennial Commission and the Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in Chicago.

Filipino Americans were the third-largest Asian heritage group in the United States as of 2015. The Chicago metro area is home to more 137,000 Filipino Americans, according to Pew Research data.

“Filipino History Month is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the contributions Filipino Americans have made to our state and country, including the Filipino veterans of WWII,” Sanguinetti said. “It is a privilege – especially during our year-long Illinois Bicentennial celebration — to present leadership and service awards to three Filipino American leaders who have positively impacted Illinois and are helping to build a better future for our state.”

During the ceremony, Sanguinetti presented awards for outstanding service and leadership to Chicago Police Department 24^th District Sergeant Wilfredo Santos Lapitan, the Philippine American Cultural Foundation, and U.S. Army veteran Edward M. Brotonel.

“It is an honor for the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago to join in the celebration of the State of Illinois’ 200^th anniversary and the commemoration of the Filipino-American History Month (FAHM) in October,” said Consul General Dr. Gina Jamoralin. “We appreciate the efforts of the Office of Governor Rauner to recognize the significant contributions of the Filipino-American community in the State of Illinois.”

On September 24, 2018 at approximately 2 a.m. Benton Police were dispatched to the 800 block of North Tenth Street in reference to a suspicious person.  Upon investigating, police arrested Larry E. LeVault, age 35, of Sesser on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear.

LeVault was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On September 30, 2018 at approximately 10 p.m., Benton Police were dispatched to the 300 block of Church Street in reference to a suspicious person.  Upon investigating, police arrested Braxton C. Pulliam, age 20, of Benton for attempted criminal trespass to a residence.

Pulliam was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.