INA, Ill.  – Four classes will be offered by Rend Lake College’s Community and Corporate Education Division this fall for locals of all ages to get active or learn a new sport. Classes begin next week in Benton, Ina, and Pinckneyville.

Discover a new sport in the form of Beginning Archery. This class, designed for participants 16 and older, will cover discussion and use of archery equipment, proper form, safety, and skills. Equipment will be provided and curriculum follows the National Archery in the Schools program. Instructor Bob Clark will meet with participants from 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 4, 11, 18, and 25 in the Gymnasium at Pinckneyville Junior High School. The class costs $20.

Youth in grades 6 through 8 can also learn about archery in Beginning Archery for Kids. Instructor Clark is back to cover the basics for youth interested in picking up a lifetime sport. The class costs $20 and meets from 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 4, 11, 18, and 25 in the Gymnasium at Pinckneyville Junior High School.

Also beginning next week, participants can begin a full body conditioning and strength workout with Body Toning. This class will help participants improve functional strength, flexibility, and coordination, plus vital core strength, using free weights. Instructor Cathy Lamont will meet with participants from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays beginning Sept. 5 through Dec. 5 in the Choir Room at Benton Middle School. The class costs $69 and all fitness levels are welcome.

Locals can also take part in Yoga, regardless of fitness level or yoga experience. This class promises to improve blood flow, flexibility, muscle strength, posture, bone health, one’s immune system, blood pressure, focus, and balance. Attendees should bring a yoga mat and something to drink. Instructor Carol Ann Baker will meet with participants from 4:45-5:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Sept. 18 through Nov. 15 in the RLC Gymnasium, Room 110, on the Ina campus. The class costs $90.

To learn more about or to register for any of these classes, call RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714. Pre-registration may be required, and can be done in person, via phone call, or by emailing commcorped@rlc.edu.

INA, Ill.— The Rend Lake College community came together this afternoon to bury a time capsule at the Ina Campus Clocktower and put a finishing touch on its 50th anniversary celebration. Founded as Mt. Vernon Community College, it became Rend Lake College through a public vote in 1967. The events and individuals that make up the institution’s history are well documented at www.rlc.edu/50.  

Numerous members of the Rend Lake College community were on hand Thursday to celebrate the time capsule getting placed in the ground.

A good representation of the college — from the student body to the Board of Trustees — was in attendance at the event. A three-foot tall cylindrical time capsule was filled and lowered into the ground by President Terry Wilkerson and Trustee John Kabat of Mt. Vernon. Student Trustee Mackenzie Trader, a freshman from Scheller, ceremoniously cast the first scoop of dirt. The small, golden shovel she passed to Kabat was the same one used when college leaders broke ground on the Ina campus decades before at the same location. Wilkerson tossed a shovel full on the capsule and thanked the crowd of faculty, staff and students for sharing in the historic day.

“I appreciate everybody coming out. I look forward to seeing all of you here [in 2067]. I’ll be 95, but I’m going to be here — maybe,” Wilkerson said with a smile.

RLC President Terry Wilkerson uses one of the shovels that broke ground on the college’s campus 50 years ago during Thursday’s time capsule burial. RLC Board Member John Kabat and Student Trustee Mackenzie Trader were on hand to assist. 

Contents of the time capsule will be unearthed in 50 years. On the time capsule is a graphic of RLC logos, under which reads: “To celebrate Rend Lake College’s 50th Anniversary, our community buried this time capsule with the intent that it not be opened until RLC’s 100th Anniversary in 2067. Its contents are an effort to display the history of Rend Lake College and its predecessor, Mt. Vernon Community College. We also tried to capture the state of RLC during our time and the people who had a part in leading its development. A majority of the things inside this capsule are digital files stored on discs and drives. Enjoy the look back. We hope many of us here on that day are with you here today.”

 

CHICAGO – Gov. Bruce Rauner today granted ­­­­­­8 and denied 85 clemency petitions.

This is the twenty-sixth set of petitions the governor has reviewed since taking office. Each person granted clemency has recently undergone a criminal background check through the Illinois State Police’s Law Enforcement Agencies Data System.

A granted clemency request for a pardon with expungement allows the petitioner to seek expungement of their conviction through the court system.

For additional information on the granted clemency cases, please contact the Prisoner Review Board at (217) 782-1610.

8-17-18 at 11:23 pm Deputies responded to an incident in Orient in which a 1998 Dodge Ram Pick-Up Truck struck a fire hydrant on Jackson St. and left the scene. The investigation led to the arrest of Michael E. Humerickhouse age 58 of West Frankfort for leaving the scene of a property damage traffic crash.

8-18-18 at 3:05 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Il. State Hwy. 14 just west of Fairview Rd. A 2006 Pontiac G6 driven by Anthony M. Beaty age 16 of DuQuoin was west bound on Rt. 14 and swerved into the path of an east bound 2012 Nissan Altima driven by Van E. Quick age 64 of Benton, sideswiping the Nissan. Van Quick and a passenger, Lou Ann Quick age 65 of Benton received incapacitating injuries and were both transported to a local hospital by Abbott E.M.S. Beaty was not injured and was ticketed for improper lane usage and failure to reduce speed to avoid a traffic crash.

8-21-18 at 11:29 am Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Il. State Hwy. Rt. 149 at Orient Road. A 2012 Chevrolet Traverse, driven by Kristen L. Eldridge age 30 of West Frankfort had been south bound on Orient Road and turned into the Rt. 149 intersection in front of an east bound 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by Samantha S. Vachata age 34 of Zeigler. Eldridge and a passenger, Cheryl R. Mifflin age 56 of West Frankfort received major injuries as did Samantha Vachata. All were transported to a local hospital by West Frankfort Fire E.M.S. Eldridge was ticketed for failure to yield right of way.

8-22-18 AT 3:33 am a traffic stop in West City led to the arrest of Chad A. Kramer age 46 of West Frankfort for possession of a stolen vehicle. The vehicle recovered was a 2003 green Dodge Durango, reported stolen from Centralia.

8-22-18 at 5:52 am Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Il. State Hwy. Rt. 14 at Il. State Hwy. Rt. 184. A 2001 Pontiac Grand am driven by Daniel T. Adams age 31 of Benton was west bound on Rt. 14 and stopped in traffic to complete a left turn south onto Rt. 184. A 2003 Buick, driven by Joshua P. Webb age 31 of Mt. Vernon was also west bound directly behind the Pontiac, failed to stop and struck the Pontiac in a rear-end type crash. There were no injuries and Webb was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

8-22-18 at 6:10 am Deputies responded to a reported disturbance at the north bound rest area on I-57. The incident led to the arrest of Tristan D. Duong age 35 of Marion for unlawful possession of methamphetamine. Duong also was wanted on an outstanding Williamson County warrant for failure to appear on traffic charges.

8-23-18 at 2:38 pm a Deputy assisted Franklin County Probation with a home visit in West Frankfort. The investigation led to the arrest of Chad H. Barnett age 42 of West Frankfort for possession of methamphetamine.

8-23-18 at 3:05 pm a traffic stop in Akin led to the arrest of Jason L. Kelley age 40 of Macedonia for an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on felony theft.

WARRANT ARRESTS

8-19-18 John A. B. Sutton age 29 of Christopher. Failed to appear on civil and traffic cases.

8-19-18 Carrie A. Ellis age 36 of Sesser. Failure to appear for criminal trespass.

8-19-18 Janelle A. Canon Age 33 of Benton. Failure to appear for theft.

8-20-18 Kevin L. Morris age 43 of Christopher. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

8-20-18 Northen W. Dimuke age 47 of Harrisburg. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

8-20-18 Kalyn A. Hayes age 22 of Christopher. Failure to appear for possession of methamphetamine.

8-22-18 Brandon J. Finke age 37 of Effingham. Failure to appear for obstructing a peace officer.

The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

MAIN LAKE AND TRIBUTARIES

SPECIES RATING BAIT OF CHOICE SUGGESTED LOCATIONS REGULATIONS

LARGEMOUTH BASS
Good Minnows, spinner baits, worms, and black and blue jigs, soft plastics. Reports of fish being caught around Jackie Branch, Sandusky Cove, and South Marcum Cove. Fish in shallow bays near brush cover and bushes. Fish around bridges and along the rocks. 14” minimum length limit, 6 daily creel limit.
1 fish daily creel limit in PONDS 14” minimum length.

CRAPPIE

Good Small or medium minnows on a cork over the brush.
Quarter-ounce pink and white tub jigs. Meal worms.
Shallow water! Work the fish attractors. From shore, fish near structures. Hot spots are Sailboat Harbor, Sandusky Cove, and North & South Marcum. Some brush piles are holding lots of fish, keep moving and you will find the right spot. Try the main lake drop off areas. 25 fish daily creel limit with no more than 10 fish 10 inches or longer

BLUEGILL

Good Small jigs, worms, meal worms, wax worms, crickets. From shore try Sailboat Harbor and Mine 21 Road. Fish shallow with crickets, worms or small jigs. Try in the back of necks and on flat shallow banks and on the rocks. Set bait at half of water depth. 10 fish daily creel limit in PONDS.

CHANNEL
CATFISH

Excellent Garlic shrimp, leeches, cut shad, dip bait, and night crawlers. Sonny’s stink bait. Try garlic shrimp in moving water. Drift fish near the creek channels on the main lake. Also, try Waltonville Dam, Turnip Patch, and Jackie Branch as well. Creeks are doing well. 6 fish daily creel limit in PONDS.
Jugs must be attended at all times while fishing.

WHITE BASS
Good Rooster Tails and spoons.
In-line spinners, jig and curly tail grubs. Reports of fish being caught anywhere the shad are moving. Try the main lake points first. Fish around the rocks and drop-offs, near brush cover / bushes. 20 fish creel limit.
No more than 3 fish 17” or longer daily

Information as of: 08/31/2018
LAKE LEVEL: 405.96 AVERAGE POOL FOR THIS DATE: 405.92 WATER TEMP: 80°F
Use of a minnow seine, cast net, or shad scoop for bait collecting within 1000 yards downstream of the Rend Lake dam and spillway is prohibited.
Maps of the Fish Attractor tree locations along with GPS locations are available at the Rend Lake Corps of Engineers Project Office or online at www.enjoyrend.com. Contact Mark Cazier for more information at (618) 724-2493.

Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed a law allowing medical marijuana to be used as a painkiller instead of highly addictive opioids.

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

The AARP is teaming up with NPR Illinois and WSIU to host an open forum about issues facing the state, including continued effects of the more than 2-year-long budget impasse.

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

CHICAGO – Gov. Bruce Rauner said today that he sides with consumers on the issue of car sharing in Illinois. The innovative new service, where people rent cars from peers for short periods of time, often by the hour, gives consumers added mobility choices and is likely to result in lower prices.

With his amendatory veto of Senate Bill 2641, Rauner rejected the idea of regulating and taxing car sharing out of business. At the same time, however, he suggested that the new service be subject to certain taxes and insurance on par with existing rental car competitors. 

The governor believes the service has economic potential for the state. It could ultimately lessen pressure on public transit, ease parking inventory concerns, and help consumers more readily afford vehicle ownership.

INA, Ill.  – It doesn’t matter if you like fast cars, holiday decorations or just looking up at the night sky, Rend Lake College’s Community and Corporate Education has a hobby class to get you going.

Principles of Street Rodding will provide students with an opportunity to learn the principles of building a safe street rod. Whether you are a beginner or someone with experience looking for ideas, this is the class for you. A 1939 Chevy Coupe will be used for demonstration. Information covered in this class will include how to select the right project (what to look for and what to avoid), the paperwork involved from taxes to titles and certificates of origin, chassis and suspension options and selections, engine and transmission choices, selecting the right brakes and wheel/tire combinations. This class will also focus on the body of the car with hands-on instruction.

Participants should wear long pants and closed-toe shoes and should bring safety glasses and welding glasses or hood. This course is designed for those 16 years of age and older. (Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.) Register for one or both sections—each section will provide new hands-on experiences.

The class will run from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays from Oct. 16 to Nov. 20 in the Vocational Building, Room 125 on the Ina campus. The cost of the class is $90 per section.

Shifting gears, Holiday Wreath Workshop will teach participants how to a festive holiday wreath. During the session, the class will create an 18” pine wreath filled with holiday florals. Your neighbors will be asking which florist created your work of art. All floral supplies are provided. Please bring scissors and a pair of wire cutters. The class will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2 in the Learning Resource Center, Room 103 on the Ina campus. The cost of the class is $15 plus a $25 supply fee.

More of an outdoors type? Stars and Constellations offers a chance for the entire family to take part in a fascinating evening of stargazing. Rend Lake College instructor, Greg Hollmann, will point out the bright stars and constellations as he captures your attention with stories of ancient mythology and modern science as it relates to the night sky. Participants will get the opportunity to view Mars and Saturn through the college’s telescope. If bad weather threatens, the instructor will present an alternate program. The class will run from 6 – 8 p.m.  Wednesday, Nov. 11 at the Mt. Vernon Airport. Pre-registration is required for the class, but the class will be free to those registered.

In the final offering, Instructor Fred Lawrence will head up a Taxidermy class. Students will learn the art of preserving, mounting, and displaying animal skins. Get hands-on experience by mounting your own bird, deer, or small animal. Supplies for first session include your species to mount (needs to be thawed) and scalpel or sharp knife. Added costs for other supplies will be determined by your selected project and will be discussed at first session. A projected supply list will be mailed to you at the time of registration. Please specify the type of species you plan on mounting at time of registration (fish are not recommended). The class will take place in January with details to be released at a later date. The cost of the class is $120 plus the cost of supplies.

To register or learn more about the hobby classes, contact RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714.

RLC COMMUNITY EDUCATION PLUGS IN WITH COMPUTER CLASSES

INA, Ill. (Aug. 30, 2018) – Community and Corporate Education is offering a slate of classes to help you get versed in some of the finer points of the computer. From just learning the basics of the internet and email to the foundations of understanding social media all the way to mastering the Linux operating system, there’s something new and interesting to learn in the electronic world.

Offerings kick off with All About Pinterest, a class designed to get you started on the social network. Pinterest allows you to collect and share ideas that you find online. In this class we will take you through the basics of how to sign up and then show you how to pin, how to create boards and find your way around the world of Pinterest. The class will cost $10 and meets from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 2 at the RLC MarketPlace, Room 338, in Mt. Vernon.

Participants in the Linux for Home User class will be able to personalize and take home their own computer (excluding the monitor), all thanks to local donations. In this class, instructor James Featherstone will show attendees how to use the Linux Mint operating system, which includes all the basic programs necessary to surf the web, send emails, create documents, produce presentations, and more. Linux also allows free downloads of applications, giving attendees limitless options for personalizing their own machine as well as. The class costs $50 and will meet from 5-9 p.m. Friday, October 26 at the Advanced Technology Center, Room 178, on the Ina campus.

Social Media Basics is a great place to start for those looking to dive into the world of social media. Whether you’re new to social media or just looking to close a few knowledge gaps, we’re here to help! Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram are just a few of the social media sites we will discuss. The class will cost $10 and meets from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 4 at the RLC MarketPlace, Room 338, in Mt. Vernon.

Internet & Email Basics will get participants started on the internet with help from instructor Liz Jennings. Participants will learn about different browsers, links, and web addresses, plus each person will obtain an email address, and learn to check email, attach photos, and more. The class costs $10 and meets from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11 at the RLC MarketPlace, Room 338, in Mt. Vernon.

To register or learn more about the electronic classes, contact RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714.