INA, Ill. – Over the course of July, Rend Lake College held a pair of baseball summer camps under the tutelage of RLC Head Baseball Coach Tyler O’Daniel. Thirty youth sluggers came to Ina to take part in the camps where they worked on the fundamentals hitting, fielding, pitching, throwing, base running, and mental aspects of the game.

RLC Head Coach Tyler O’Daniel, far left, taught campers from grades 3-5 in the first baseball camp of the summer. He was assisted by RLC freshman Steven Anderson, second to left, RLC Assistant Coach Brandon Hardin, second from right and RLC sophomore Dalton Banach, far right.Participants in alphabetical order were Hayden Burton (Johnson City), Cole Copple (Benton), Luke Himelick (Flora), Cyrus Joy (Dix), Trevor Millenbine (Dahlgren), Charlie Shupe (Mt. Vernon), Kyle Williams (McLeansboro) and Carson Woolsey (Sesser). 

RLC Head Coach Tyler O’Daniel, far left, taught campers from grades 6-8 in the second baseball camp of the summer. He was assisted by RLC sophomore Dalton Banach, far right. Participants in alphabetical order were Logan Atwood (Flora), Colton Berk (Woodlawn), Tyler Conrad (Flora), Xander Fuqua (Marion), Eric Healy (Norris City), Trevor Johnson (Flora), Cyrus Joy (Dix), Alex Kiefer (Mt. Vernon), Will Kiefer (Mt. Vernon), Jake Kinsman (Benton), Hunter Kluck (Mt. Vernon), Leighton Malcolm (Woodlawn), Gavin McCann (Benton), Shandon Prather (Flora), Chase Rubenaker (Benton), Trey Severin (Benton), Drew Wheeler (Mt.Vernon) and Neil Young (Flora). Not pictured: Ollie Collins (Flora), Garrett Patridge (Flora), Camden Strom (Edwardsville).

INA, Ill. – Whether you’ve visited campus as a student or parent, attended trainings on our satellite campuses in Mt. Vernon or Pinckneyville, or participated in any number of our community events, chances are you have a connection to Rend Lake College. Now, we want to hear from you.

RLC is asking community members to submit third-party comments on our activities and services as part of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation process. Comments from current and prospective students, interested parents, and in-district taxpayers are welcomed.

These third-party comments can be submitted online to HLC at www.hlcommission.org/comment or can be mailed to HLC at the address below. Comments are due Monday, Aug. 27, and HLC cannot guarantee that comments after the due date will be considered.

Third-Party Comment on Rend Lake College
Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411

This fall, RLC will receive a visit from HLC as part of the Open Pathway to accreditation. As part of the Federal Compliance process, one piece of the accreditation puzzle, HLC requires institutions to undergo a comprehensive evaluation, which includes an invitation to the public to provide written comments. Three weeks before the visit to campus on September 24-25, HLC will review and forward the third-party comments to the evaluation team members and the institution.

RLC has been accredited by HLC since 1969 and it is vital to what we do. Accreditation serves as a measure of quality, allows us to access and distribute federal student aid, facilitates the transfer of classes between institutions, and much more. HLC is one of six regional accreditors in the country and is recognized by the U. S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

More information about the Higher Learning Commission can be obtained through its website at www.hlcommission.org. To learn more about RLC’s road to accreditation, visit www.rlc.edu/hlc.

INA, Ill. – Three specialized trainings for surface and underground miners have been scheduled to meet 13 times this fall at Rend Lake College. All training courses will meet on the RLC Ina campus in the Coal Mining Training Center, and will be taught by RLC Mining Technology Instructor Don McBride.

Annual Surface and Underground Refresher trainings are set for 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. on the following Fridays: Aug. 24, Oct. 19, Nov. 16, or Dec. 14. Each course costs $50.

New Miner Surface and Underground trainings are also on the schedule. Miners will meet from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13 through Friday, Aug. 17; Monday, Oct. 1 through Friday, Oct. 5; Monday, Oct. 29 through Friday, Nov. 2; or Monday, Dec. 17 through Friday, Dec. 21. The cost of the class is $165, and attendees must pre-pay and pre-register.

New miners needing the surface-only trainings will meet from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15 through Friday, Aug. 17; Wednesday, Oct. 3 through Friday, Oct. 5; Wednesday, Oct. 31 through Friday, Nov. 2; or Wednesday, Dec. 19 through Friday, Dec. 21. The cost of the training is $120.

An Annual Refresher for Surface-only miners is set for 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21. This training costs $50.

For more information, contact McBride at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1217 or mcbrided@rlc.edu. To register for any of the trainings, contact Joy Fitts at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1261 or fittsj@rlc.edu.

BENTON, IL – Join the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake on Saturday, July 28th, as they host Free Again Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for a special late night program.

This program, titled “Night Owls”, will give the audience a chance to get up close and personal with live, rehabilitated owls. Presented by Bev Shofstall of the Free Again Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, this entertaining program will introduce the audience to these nocturnal birds of prey as they learn their stories, their unique characteristics, and their importance in Illinois ecosystems. Free Again Wildlife is a rehabilitation center focused on conservation and education efforts based out of Carterville, IL. Don’t miss this chance to see and meet these wonderful creatures in this nighttime program.

“Night Owls” will be presented on July 28th, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Rend Lake Visitor Center and Project Office. Programs featuring live animals tend to fill up very quickly, so please plan accordingly as seating is limited. As always, Environmental Science Series programs are free, open to the public, and appropriate for all ages.

The 2018 Environmental Science Series at Rend Lake will continue next week with the “Babaloo Music and Fun Show”. Enjoy this one-man musical comedy act with fun songs to entertain children, adults, and families. This program will take place on Saturday, August 4th, 2018 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Rend Lake Visitor Center and Project Office.

MARION — Registration and planning are underway for the 2018 Veterans on Parade, which will begin at 10 a.m. Sept. 8 at Marion Junior High School. The parade travels east to Marion Town Square, where a short memorial service will take place, then continue east to Washington School.

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

A 19-year-old Benton man is in custody accused of stealing a 4-wheeler.

Aaron A. Hargett was charged with theft and transported to the Franklin County Jail. 

Benton Police received a 911 call on July 19 in reference to a stolen four wheeler from the 700 block of Locust Street.

Police responded to the area of Industrial Park Road and Bowling Alley Road where the suspect was last seen entering a wooded area.  Officers from the Benton PD, West City PD and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office searched the area on foot, subsequently locating the four-wheeler and a short time later found Hargett.  K9 Units from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Benton PD were also deployed. K9 “Diego” (FCSO) and K9 “Ranger” (BPD) led officers to additional stolen property in the area.  An investigation into the theft continues.

CHICAGO — Gov. Bruce Rauner announced today he has made appointments and reappointments to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Racing, and Pollution Control Boards.

Appointments

Name: Jason Barclay

Position: Racing Board

The governor has appointed Jason Barclay to the Illinois Racing Board. “His extensive legal experience as well as his work on Indiana’s Horse Racing Commission will be invaluable to the Racing Board,” Rauner said.

Barclay is the general counsel and chief compliance officer for outpatient rehabilitation company Athletico Physical Therapy. He previously served as general counsel for the Office of the Governor as well as a member of the Illinois Board of Education, the Indiana Athletic Commission and Indiana Horse Racing Commission.

A Hinsdale resident, Barclay received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Duke University and a law degree from the University of Virginia.

 Name: Robert Patterson

Position: Chicago Transit Authority Board

The Rev. Robert Patterson has been named to the Chicago Transit Authority Board. Patterson has continuously worked with city leaders and elected officials to aid and support neighboring communities. He collaborated with the City of Chicago to build affordable housing in North Lawndale for first-time homeowners and is an advocate for seniors, veterans and those experiencing homelessness, the governor said.

Patterson received his bachelor’s degree in theology as well as an honorary doctorate from Chicago Baptist Institute. The Chicago resident also has a doctorate in counseling from the Midwest Theological Institute.

Reappointments

Name: U-Jung Choe

Position: Pollution Control Board

The governor has reappointed U-Jung Choe to the Illinois Pollution Control Board (PCB). Choe’s policy development experience along with her familiarity with environmental policy issues has been an asset to the PCB.

Prior to this role, Choe, of River Forest, served as the policy director for Rauner overseeing environmental policy issues. This included working with the Pollution Control Board and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a comprehensive review of existing environmental regulations.

Choe received a bachelor’s degree in political science and Asian studies from Indiana University and earned her law degree at Syracuse University College of Law.

 Name: Cynthia Santos

Position: Pollution Control Board

Cynthia Santos has been reappointed as an Illinois Pollution Control Board member. “Santos is an organizational leader whose commitment and contributions have greatly served PCB and the people of Illinois,” the governor said. 

Prior to joining the PCB, the Chicago resident was a commissioner for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, fundraising director and pastoral adviser for St. Viator Parish and a senior manager and trainer for the Illinois Secretary of State.

Santos graduated summa cum laude from Northeastern Illinois University, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science.

 Name: Greg Sronce

Position: Racing Board

The governor has reappointed Greg Sronce as a member of the Illinois Racing Board.

Sronce resides in Springfield, where he is an attorney with Stratton, Moran, Reichert, Sronce and Appleton and previously worked as a Sangamon County public defender.

Sronce received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his law degree from Southern Illinois University.

REND LAKE FISHING REPORT
July 20, 2018
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Phone (618) 724-2493
Fax (618) 724-4089
e-mail : rendinfo@usace.army.mil
Web site http://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/rend
“Like” us on Facebook at Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center

MAIN LAKE AND TRIBUTARIES

SPECIES RATING BAIT OF CHOICE SUGGESTED LOCATIONS REGULATIONS

LARGEMOUTH BASS
Fair 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 Meal worms. Small or medium minnows (8-10 ft. deep).
Quarter-ounce pink and white tub jigs.
Fish Attractors! Fish are moving out to the main lake points. Fish can be found at main points south of Hwy 154. Best action is 8-10 feet deep near brush. From shore, fish near structures, hot spots are South Sandusky, North and South Marcum. Brush piles are holding lots of fish. 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. Set bait at half of water depth. Fish in the back of necks and on flat shallow banks and on the rocks. 10 fish daily creel limit in PONDS.

CHANNEL
CATFISH

Excellent Large minnows, leeches, cut shad, shrimp, dip bait, night crawlers, and Sonny’s stink bait. Hoss’s Hawg Bait. Try leeches in moving water. Drift fish the flats. Set line 3-4’ from the shore over rocks and in shallow bays. Waltonville Dam, Turnip Patch, and Jackie Branch. 10-1 feet depth. Creeks doing well. 6 fish daily creel limit in PONDS.
Jugs must be attended at all times while fishing.

WHITE BASS
Fair In-line spinners, jig and curly tail grubs. Reports of fish being caught around the 154 bridges. Fish around along the rocks and drop-offs. Fish in shallow bays near brush cover and bushes. 20 fish creel limit.
No more than 3 fish 17” or longer daily

Information as of: 07/20/2018
LAKE LEVEL: 406.61 AVERAGE POOL FOR THIS DATE: 407.06 WATER TEMP: 83.5°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.

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