Benton police make arrests

April 23, 2018 By Leave a Comment

On April 19, 2018 at approximately 2:45 a.m. Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of North McLeansboro and Bailey Lane.  During the stop, Benton Police K9 “Ranger” alerted to the odor of illegal narcotics in the vehicle.  Upon investigating further, the driver, 52 year old Brian J. Brewster of Mt. Vernon, was arrested for unlawful possession of methamphetamine.  Brewster was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On April 19, 2018 at approximately 8:30 a.m. Benton Police were dispatched to the 300 block of West Church Street in reference to a verbal dispute.  Upon investigating, police arrested Kevin C. Fisher, age 33, of Carbondale for criminal trespass.  Fisher was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On April 19, 2018 at approximately 10:00 p.m. Benton Police arrested 39 year old Amanda D. Worley of Benton for Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine With The Intent To Deliver and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Some Illinois lawmakers want more therapists, less armed officers

April 20, 2018 By Leave a Comment

SPRINGFIELD — Some Illinois lawmakers want to give extra money to schools that replace armed security officers with unarmed social workers and behavior therapists, an approach to safety that’s far different than a national push to add police or arm teachers following a mass shooting at a Florida high school.

Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, a Hillside Democrat, said he proposed the plan after hearing from advocates who argue that investing in mental health resources is the best way of treating the epidemic of violence.

His plan, which is backed by 16 other Democrats in the House, would allow schools to apply to an optional grant if they promise to reallocate funding for school-based law enforcement to mental health services, including social workers or other practices “designed to promote school safety and healthy environments.”

But the measure could be a tough sell, especially amid a widespread effort to employ more of what’s known as school resource officers — fully armed law enforcement officers often paid for by schools.

As of early April, 200 bills or resolutions have been introduced in 39 states regarding school safety, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. More than half of these measures were introduced following the events in Parkland, Florida. Thirty-four bills in 19 states address regulations and training for school resource officers.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions proposed a school safety plan in March that included a measure prioritizing grants to states that agree to use the money to put more law enforcement in schools.

Michelle Mbekani-Wiley, from the Sargent Shriver Center on Poverty Law, said this approach is wrongheaded and that police are unequipped to recognize or respond to mental health issues. She adds that many minority students within the Chicago Public School system are arrested by school resource officers for non-serious offenses, which could jeopardize their chances of applying to jobs and colleges in the

“This increased presence of law enforcement in schools does not necessarily enhance school safety,” said Michelle Mbekani-Wiley from the Sargent Shriver Center for Poverty Law. “Instead it dramatically increases the likelihood that students will be unnecessarily swept into the criminal justice system often for mere adolescent or disruptive behavior.”

However, advocates for school resource officers argue their role is essential to keep students safe, especially in the event of a school shooting.

After Parkland, Deputy Kip Heinle, former president of the Illinois School Resource Officers Association, said he was “fielding two to three phone calls a day” from school districts asking how they can add more patrolling officers. While there’s no official count on how many school resource officers are employed in Illinois, he puts the estimate at around 500.

Heinle, who works as a school resource officer in an Illinois suburb of St. Louis, says he believes that the officers are “the best line of defense to keep students safe in school.”

He adds that, beyond preserving law and order in schools, he adds that many officers also act like a mentor and an informal counselor to many of their students, with the goal of “shaping them to be successful adults someday.”

School resource officers are not required to be trained in Illinois, but they can pay to take part in an optional annual training session each summer in Bloomington. Around 85 to 100 officers from around the state typically attend, said Heinle. No Chicago Public School officers have ever attended, he added.

The bill is HB4208.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Christopher Area Youth Fishing Derby set for May 12

April 20, 2018 By Leave a Comment

From the Benton Evening News:

By Tom Vaughn
Contributing writer

It’s that time again, kids. Fishing season will be underway shortly, and one of the most impressive events in the area for young fishing kids is coming again to Izaak Walton Lake, just northwest of Coello.

For the 25th year, the annual Christopher Area Youth Fishing Derby will host youngsters who are determined to catch some fish in a friendly, fun competition. The date is Saturday, May 12.

Winners in three classes will be recognized with awards for heaviest stringers and a prestigious biggest fish prize. There is also a Del Rea Memorial Sportsmanship Award for a youngster showing unselfish qualities of good citizenship during the derby.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. followed by a few outdoor demonstrations, and then it’s on to fishing.

Anglers 15 and younger can bring their own gear or lures, although bait and equipment are provided for anyone who needs them.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Authorities make multiple arrests in Franklin County

April 20, 2018 By Leave a Comment

The following list of arrests were made by Franklin County Sheriff Dept. deputies.

April 6

• A traffic stop at 1:53 p.m. in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Bryan D. McClintock, 31, of Christopher on a charge of driving while license suspended.

April 7

• At 3:45 a.m., a Franklin County correctional officer discovered a glass pipe containing methamphetamine in the possession of a female inmate during the booking procedure. The female recently had been transferred from another county jail. Jenna N. Moore, 31, of Wood River was charged with unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution, a class 1 felony.

• A traffic stop at 9:54 a.m. in Benton resulted in the arrest of Bradley A. Roeder, 35, of Benton on a charge of driving while license suspended.

• Deputies responded at 4:21 p.m. to a single-vehicle traffic crash on Akin Blacktop just east of Rt. 34. The investigation concluded that a 2008 Pontiac driven by Aaron J. Jackson, 20, of Whittington was west bound and negotiating a curve when the driver stated he swerved to avoid striking a dog, lost control, ran off the roadway and struck a culvert. The driver received minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital by EMS.

• A traffic stop at 6:36 p.m. in Benton resulted in the arrest of Byron E. Olson Jr., 24, of Benton on a charge of driving while license suspended.

• Deputies responded at 8:51 p.m. to a disturbance at Pearson’s Skating Rink on Rt. 37 south of Benton. The incident resulted in the arrest of a 14-year-old female on charges of battery and resisting a peace officer. The juvenile was released to the custody of her mother.

April 8

• Charges have been filed and an arrest made as the result of a car crash that occurred at 12:10 a.m. July 2, 2016, on Peach Orchard Lake Road 1/4 mile east of the Sesser Lake Road. The crash seriously injured three young men and was handled by the Franklin County Sherriff’s reconstruction team. The crash investigation was lengthy as the result of the need to await DNA lab results to close the investigation. Charged as a result is Travis L. Reginato, 23, of Buckner. Reginato is being held in the Franklin County Jail on a charge of aggravated reckless driving, a class 4 felony. His bond has been set at $50,000 or 10 percent.

• Deputies responded at 6:04 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash on Rt. 148 just south of Three-Bill Road. The investigation concluded that a 2004 Toyota Tacoma driven by Thomas J. Bryant, 55, of Sesser was southbound and preparing to turn east into a private drive when the Toyota was rear-ended by a 2008 Saturn driven by Cheyenne N. Conner, 24, of Mulkeytown, who failed to stop. Bryant sustained major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott EMS. Sesser Fire first responders also responded to the scene. Conner was not injured but has been cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a traffic crash and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. The crash is under further investigation, and further charges are possible.

• Deputies arrested Michael S. Ligon, 44, of Marion for revocation of probation on a charge of domestic battery.

April 9

• Deputies responded at 7:11 p.m. to a disturbance in Thompsonville. The investigation resulted in the arrest of a 15-year-old male on a charge of aggravated assault. The juvenile was released to the custody of his parents.

• Deputies arrested Brianna L. Deason, 31, of West Frankfort on a warrant for failure to appear for theft.

• Deputies arrested Erika L. Grimes, 29, of Benton on a warrant for failure to appear for possession of methamphetamine.

• Deputies responded at 10:23 a.m. to a single-vehicle traffic crash on Old Marion Road just north of the county line. The investigation concluded that a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Richard L. Thompson, 70, of West Frankfort was southbound and apparently suffered some type of medical episode, causing him to lose consciousness. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a Southeastern electrical power pole, trapping the driver until the lines were de-energized. The driver was uninjured due to the crash, but was transported to a local hospital by West Frankfort Fire EMS due to the previous medical episode.

• Deputies responded at 8:08 p.m. to a domestic dispute in rural Thompsonville. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Charles S. Hargett, 57, of Thompsonville on a charge of domestic battery.

April 11

• Deputies responded at 1:50 a.m. to a domestic dispute in rural Thompsonville. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Dylan L. Morris, 24, of Thompsonville on a charge of interfering with the reporting of domestic violence.

• Deputies arrested Mark A. Vreeland, 26, of Zeigler on a warrant for failure to appear on a probation revocation.

April 12

• Deputies responded at 1:59 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash just east of Buckner. The investigation concluded that a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox driven by David E. Valette, 50, of Mulkeytown was eastbound on Rt. 14 and was attempting to make a left turn into a private drive when it was struck in a rear-end type crash by a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Katherine E. Monari, 28, of Christopher. Valette sustained minor injuries but refused medical treatment. Monari was not injured, but was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and for operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

• Deputies responded at 3:45 p.m. to a domestic dispute in Whittington. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Justin S. Forsythe, 30, of Whittington on a charge of domestic battery.

April 13

• Deputies arrested Rickey W. Ledbetter, 51, of Mt. Vernon on a warrant for failure to appear for aggravated assault.

Filed Under: Breaking News

RLC’s Natalie Stark Recs the Scale

April 19, 2018 By Leave a Comment

RLC’s Natalie Stark Recs the Scale

INA, Ill. – Natalie Stark, Rend Lake College Records Specialist, won the college’s Rec the Scale Challenge earlier this month. The contest is designed to encourage locals and the RLC community to get into shape. Over the 12 weeks, Stark lost nearly 15 percent of her body weight.

Rec the Scale took on 11 participants in January and kept track of the top competitors based on body weight percentage, rather than total pounds lost. It was a tight race at the end, and finishing in second was Amy Epplin, RLC Financial Aid Specialist, and in third was community member Rita Liszewski. In total, all of the participants lost over 175 pounds.

NatalieStark Winner2018WStark, RIGHT, poses with Larry Williams, Rec Lab Assistant, LEFT, in The Rec Wednesday morning. Stark will receive a cash prize for placing first in this year’s Rec the Scale Challenge. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

Filed Under: Breaking News

Illinois National Guard, Polish Military mark 25-Year Partnership

April 19, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Gov. Rauner meets with Polish defense ministry officials; Lt. Governor hosts press event in Chicago today

WARSAW – Governor Bruce Rauner marked the 25-year partnership between the Illinois National Guard and Polish Armed Forces today. He met with senior officials from Poland’s Ministry of Defense in Warsaw and proclaimed it State Partnership Day in Illinois to recognize the bilateral economic and military ties between the state and Poland.

“Poland has become a strong and unwavering military ally and friend,” Rauner said. “Our soldiers have fought together for many years to protect the freedoms we enjoy and, as we stand here today, they’re fighting side-by-side in Afghanistan as they have done continuously, without break, since 2003.”

The State Partnership Program between Poland and the Illinois National Guard started in 1993, shortly after the people of Poland threw off the yoke of Soviet oppression and emerged as a free nation and budding democracy. Illinois was among the first National Guard Bureau State Partnership Programs, and is among the most successful.

Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti is celebrating the partnership in Illinois at an event in at Humboldt Park Armory where she will be joined by Lt. Col. Brad Leighton, Polish Consul General Piotr Janicki, and an assembly of military and Polish-American leaders.

“As chairman of our Military Economic Development Committee, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of this partnership,” Sanguinetti said. “The alliance is just one of the many special connections we have with Polish community here in Illinois.”

The two military forces hold about 30 Security Cooperation events each year in support of the U.S. European Command.

Illinois National Guard Major General Richard J. Hayes first worked with the Polish military in 1999 as they prepared for entry into NATO. He also deployed to Kosovo with two Polish Motorized Infantry Battalions in 2007.

“Our Soldiers and Airmen have established long-standing relationships with Polish troops. Many of the officers I got to know are now senior leaders in the Polish Armed Forces,” Hayes said. “We have forged a powerful and undying level of trust between our forces. It is a unique relationship within the Department of Defense.”

Illinois has played a key role in the modernization of the Polish Air Force. Air National Guard pilots flew the first F-16 into Poland as the Poles began to upgrade their arsenal.  They have assisted in pilot and crew training associated with the Polish F-16 and C-130 programs; and provided expertise for their state-of-the-art maintenance systems.

The Army National Guard has participated in many exchanges to help the Polish military build capability within its noncommissioned officer ranks.

Illinois exports to Poland totaled $275.2 million in 2016, an 87.2 percent increase since 2009. Illinois ranks sixth among the 50 U.S. states in imports from Poland. Since 2010, the value of trade between the United States and Poland has doubled. Poland has also been investing in its military, consistently meeting its NATO obligations for mutual security.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Local schools begin receiving payments under new state formula

April 18, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Last week, school districts across Illinois received the first payments from a new evidence-based school funding formula.

Joshua Stafford, superintendent of Vienna High School District, said the districts are now getting money into their accounts. The first payment hit his school’s bank account April 11.

The new funding formula looks at the amount of money the district would need to adequately educate a child to reach his or her potential, and the amount the school actually is able to spend. For example, if educating a child to reach her potential would cost $4,000, but the district only has $2,000 to spend per child, the district is funded at 50 percent of adequacy.

Terry Ryker, superintendent of Herrin Community Unit School District 4, said adequacy percentage takes into consideration 26 different factors, like professional development, class size, curriculum, percentage of low income students, and more.

“The goal is to help districts that need it the most,” he said.

Ryker used curriculum as an example. The district hasn’t spent money on curriculum since 2010 or before.

“What we are teaching has changed a little bit because of the state standards, but we didn’t have money to get resources. We went online and got free resources wherever we could,” Ryker said. “Our teachers have gone above and beyond what they should have to do.”

After the adequacy percentage is figured, districts statewide were put on a tier to receive funding to help them meet their adequacy targets, with tier 1 schools receiving a great portion of funding. Most schools in Southern Illinois were tier 1, funded at 64 percent or less of adequacy.

Let’s take a closer look at a few tier 1 districts.

Du Quoin CUSD 300

Enrollment: 1,520

Du Quoin will received $694,580.48 in new funding with an adequacy score of 55 percent through the evidence-based funding model. That will be divided over the next six payments, which will finish the school year.

“We have been pro-rated for the past nine years, so there is some catch-up with the funding. We are going to be working on a plan to utilize those dollars for the next school year based on what the district needs to help kids,” Superintendent Gary Kelly said.

The preliminary discussions have been around adding staff positions that have been lost during the budget crisis. Kelly said no one was laid off, but positions have not been filled as people have retired.

“We want the additional funding to have biggest impact for improving achievement for kids, as it was intended,” Kelly said.

Herrin CUSD 4

Enrollment: 719

Herrin School District received an adequacy percentage of 55 percent and will receive an additional $1,263,206.15 by the end of the fiscal year on June 30. That amount will be split into six payments.

Ryker said the first thing the district will do is pay off debt incurred during the two years Illinois did not have a state budget. District administration, staff and faculty are working on a plan beyond that.

“I had meetings with each of four schools with entire faculty and staff, and the leadership teams to figure out what we need,” Ryker said

They are looking at several things, such as reducing class sizes in kindergarten through second grades, adding social workers in elementary schools, adding positions cut over last several years such as two school resource officers, spending money on technology, and adding money for teachers to buy supplies and attend professional development workshops.

“All those things are open and we will be discussing them at our next board meeting,” Ryker said. “Our district seems to be getting the most, but that’s because we were hurting the most.”

Enrollment: 1,118

Johnston City, with an adequacy percentage of 56, will receive $499,158.55.

“It will allow us to add back positions that were cut years ago when we had to make cuts to the bare bones, but we are not just adding those things blindly,” Superintendent Kathy Clark said.

She is meeting with administrative team, school board, faculty and staff and looking at research before replacing those things. Clark, much like her colleagues around Southern Illinois, wants to use the funds to impact her students.

“We are looking at things that will directly impact student academic growth,” Clark said.

Because the district began talking about what things they needed before the funding became available, they were able to increase the after-school tutoring program this week. Clark said it has been well-received.

The program was limited to a few students because of lack funding.

Some of the items being discussed include tutoring before and after school, and adding positions that include instructional coaches, social workers, teachers for music and art instruction, elementary physical education teachers, and Title 1 match and reading aides.

“We want to add positions that are going to help students learn and help students grow academically,” Clark said. “For us, it’s an awesome responsibility to have, but we are looking forward to the challenge.”

Vienna High School District

Enrollment: 357

“With an adequacy percentage of 52, Vienna, along with nine other schools, is the fifth most inadequately funded school of the 850 or so in the state,” Stafford said.

The district will receive $239,867.52, split into six payments.

Stafford said schools all over the state have experience the pro-rating of state funding since 2009. As a result, Vienna High School has taken an $800,000 reduction. When Vienna Grade Schools are added, the shortage is around $3 million.

“We have taken a lot of drastic steps for compensate for that $3 million,” Stafford said.

He added that new tier money — new money from any source — is great news, but it does not make up the deficit.

“Moving forward, due to the many years of decreased school funding, we are going to be in a rebuilding process,” Stafford said. “Just because we have received a portion of that doesn’t take us from being the fifth-poorest funded district in state to adequate funding.”

He expects it will take the district about 10 years to get to adequate funding.

“The things we hope to achieve with any new dollars in Vienna, first and foremost, is to stabilize our current financial condition. Once that is stabilized, the next things we want to accomplish are things that will affect teaching and learning in our classrooms, such as administrative and support staff, reducing the number of bus routes, (and) smaller class sizes.”

Numerous classes in Vienna contain more than 30 students. They hope, once the district is stable, to hire teachers, so they can put teachers in classrooms in front of kids.

“We want it to have a direct impact on getting the best results we can for our students,” Stafford said.

Filed Under: Breaking News

RLC Golf Outlet’s annual Super Demo Day set for April 21

April 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment

 

MT. VERNON, Ill.– Get back into the swing of things at the Rend Lake College Golf Outlet’s annual Super Demo Day, set for 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at the RLC MarketPlace and Cherry Creek Golf Range in Mt. Vernon.

Attendees to the free event can take advantage of visiting with a dozen major brand representatives and trying out the newest drivers and irons. Some of these include the Cobra F8 driver, Taylormade M3 and M4 drivers and irons, Taylormade P790 irons, Cobra F8 irons, Callaway Rouge driver and irons, Ping G400 driver and irons, Mizuno ST180 driver, and Wilson C300 irons and driver.

Free fittings and free range balls to test products will be offered on the Cherry Creek Golf Range, located a short walk north of the Golf Outlet.

There will also be big savings on in-stock clubs, bags, apparel, and much more. Specifically, shoppers will receive $20 off all putters, 25 percent off all golf shoes and junior clubs, 30 percent off golf bags, and up to 60 percent off select clothing items.

Golfers can also take advantage of price cuts to several drivers from last year. These include the Taylormade M1 and M2 drivers, the Ping G driver and the Cobra F7 driver.

The Cherry Creek Golf Range is operated by the RLC Golf Outlet and is the only range on the west side of Mt. Vernon. The range is open for players year-round, dependent on weather, and tokens for range balls can be purchased from the Golf Outlet. Range balls will be free during Super Demo Day.

For more information about Super Demo Day, contact Danielle Kaufman, Golf Outlet Store Manager, at 618-242-3001. To check out the RLC Golf Outlet, visit www.rlcgolfoutlet.com or the Rend Lake College Golf Outlet Facebook page.

Filed Under: Breaking News

After a 93 year run … Sears to close last store in Chicago

April 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Sears opened its first-ever store in Chicago 93 years ago. This summer, it will close its last department store in the city.

 

Here’s the link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

 

Filed Under: Breaking News

Benton woman arrested for battery

April 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment

On April 11, 2018 at approximately 3:20 p.m. Benton Police were dispatched to the 1400 Block of South Pope Street for a fight in progress.  Upon investigating, Officers arrested 20 year old Tabitha E. Hall of Benton for battery.  Hall was transported to the Franklin County Jail.

Filed Under: Breaking News
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