Bridge crossing Rend Lake Dam should be opened today
February 9, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Rend Lake Project office photo
BENTON – I just spoke with a representative of the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Rend Lake Project Office and plans are to open the bridge across Rend Lake Dam this afternoon.
Also, there are some controlled burns taking place around the dam today.
All facilities are OPEN as the House of Representatives. passed a stop-gap spending plan to advert a government shutdown. -Steve
Fighting hunger in Franklin County
February 9, 2018 By Leave a Comment
WSIL TV image
SESSER — A group of high school students hopes to fight hunger with a new type of market.
Local 4-H members teamed up with the Sesser-Valier Outdoorsmen Club to create a mobile market in Sesser.
“They’re contacting me all month long, wanting to know when we’re doing it, how often, can they bring a neighbor or an elderly person they know?” said program coordinator Cindy Bauman .
Please click to read the full story and video from WSIL-TV.
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37460846/fighting-hunger-in-franklin-county
What do you grab when your house is on Fire?
February 8, 2018 By Leave a Comment
By Kendee Pemberton
Four and a half weeks ago the fan on our wood furnace caught fire. It was during the day and most of us were home. Jake was sick and asleep in his bed, Mark had just finished his last midnight shift for the month and was upstairs asleep, Caleb was out of school early, and I was working in my office. I noticed that it smelled a little too hot (which isn’t all that uncommon when it’s 13 degrees and you heat with wood), so I went out to check on it, choked it down a bit more, came back in, grabbed a cup of coffee went back to my office.
When I got back to my desk smoke was coming up from behind my computer – I thought – but by the time I got up and moved the tower the smoke was rolling out from the duct under the desk….and through the rest of the house. I ran to find the source and discovered the North side of the house ablaze. Smoke and flame were blowing into the ductwork of the house.
The rest of the day is a blur of craziness…..we fought the fire with buckets until the fire department arrived (when you are in panic mode you forget the garden hose stored in the basement). Because of the overexertion and smoke (and firefighting barefoot in his underwear), Mark had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital – and Katie (who recently passed the EMT exam) rode with him, Jake and the dog sat in my car until Grandma came and got him. Caleb and I ran through the house gathering what was most precious until we were assured that the fire was no longer burning inside the wall.
Things have been crazy – we lived in a hotel for almost three weeks and worked every evening to try to get the house back in order (at least a more normal chaotic state), but our insurance company has been amazing – they have really taken care of us.
During this entire process all I can think of is how very blessed we are. It could have been so much worse. Jake was asleep 4 feet from the fire – but the fire happened during the day and we got out. The Fire department was here in 6 minutes. Mark is ok. We lost very little (with the exception of the Judy Neal couch…..Mike Heathcoat is pretty upset about that…..). The damage was mostly outside – with just some smoke and mess inside. It has been an inconvenience – but I say again, we are so blessed….and it could have been so much worse.
As I was starting to put things back in place I became very aware of what things are important to me. The pile of some of the items included family photos, the drawing Marlene Webb did of Tyler, our bibles, Caleb’s player of the week football, Eli’s Mr. Bear, and the much loved china doll that my grandparents brought me from Mexico (her name is Senorita…..because what else would you name her?). Some of the other items are the (probably now not politically correct) tea set that Grandma Bain and I used to have tea parties with, belt buckles that Mark’s grandpa earned in the mines, pot holders perfectly crocheted (and I mean perfectly!!) by my Grandma Great (Odom), a Bakelite watch box that was Grandma Dungy’s, and a crocheted bonnet that Grandma Adaleen wore as a baby.
There was also a little coin purse that has sales tickets inside that are made out to Billy Dungy – and marked “paid in full” – because that’s how he did business, and the thing that probably spoke to me the most: a bible presented to Mr and Mrs Kenneth Odom Dec 25, 1945 from Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Odom. There are newspaper clippings and other small momentous tucked in the pages – including the rose she carried when she married my grandpa….it had been a gift from her brother Thurmond. The newest inscription said “presented to my oldest granddaughter Kendee for her 23rd birthday. May it bring you much knowledge in Christ’s Love as it has served me 45 years. Your Loving Grandma – Adaleen “Nanna”.
As we work on the repairs to the house, I’m also reminded of the hardest working man I ever knew, who tore down a school house and rebuilt it into this place 80 years ago. It amazes me to see his work inside the walls (now open and available for view) – the sills carved of black oak – as strong now as it was then because of the care he put into it. This house, built by a man with a third grade education – not because he wasn’t a good student – but because he CHOSE to send his brothers in the available shoes instead of go himself, has been a place of refuge for brothers, their wives, and their children, sons, and grandkids. I’m so grateful that it still stands – prepared to continue in service to our family as the heritage continues.
For me, when my house was on fire, the things that were important were the people I love – the heritage that was given to me – or the heritage that is being built on the foundation of the ones who came before. As we began to put the pieces back together, I have been touched by so many memories – all good – of family who built a foundation on the love of Christ, hard work, and undying love for their kin. I am so blessed.
NOTE: Mark and Kendee Pemberton have been friends of mine most of my adult life. They are the type of friends that we do not cross paths much, but when we do we talk awhile.
They live in the northeastern part of the county. This was originally a blog post, and gracefully she gave me the permission to use it. -Steve
Jonathan Wiley’s career shows his ability to overcome adversity
February 8, 2018 By Leave a Comment
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Saluki senior forward Jonathan Wiley remains sidelined with a knee injury, but don’t bet against him returning to play basketball, either this season or somewhere down the road. He has a history of overcoming whatever obstacles come his way.
Ironically, basketball wasn’t even Wiley’s first love as a kid growing up in Houston, Texas. Football was his favorite sport, but his tall, slender body type wasn’t a good fit for the gridiron.
Wiley pulling up in the paint against three Indiana State defenders (Madison Case, SIU Sports Information)
“I wanted to be a football player so bad,” he recalled. “I think that’s the Texas dream. I finally quit after my freshman year because I wasn’t good enough. I put my focus on basketball.”
His basketball career took off at St. Pius X High School, where he was a two-time All-District MVP. Wiley committed early to Texas State, right after his junior season, so that the recruiting process wouldn’t be a distraction during his senior year. He played just one season at Texas State and left the school disillusioned after a 14-17 season amid friction between the players and coaches. Complicating matters, Wiley struggled in the classroom, where he posted a 1.8 GPA.
“There were times I didn’t even want to be in school, there were times I didn’t want to play basketball anymore,” Wiley admitted.
Wiley spent the 2015-16 season at Panola College, a junior college in Carthage, Texas. He averaged 12.1 points and 8.3 rebounds, experiencing a rebirth both on and off the court. He learned how to better manage his time. His grades improved. He even became a father with his girlfriend giving birth to a son, Jovi.
“I think that’s the reason for the sudden spike in my academics,” Wiley said. “I didn’t want to let him down. I didn’t want to let my parents down. You can’t do nothing with a 1.8 (GPA).”
Southern Illinois assistant coach Brad Autry saw Wiley play at Panola and envisioned a role for the 6-foot-7 swingman with the Salukis. Wiley had other Division I offers but said SIU’s 22-10 season convinced him to come to Carbondale.
“I knew from my freshman year that winning is so important because the team stays together,” he said. “When you lose, you start seeing little clicks and everybody is not a family. I saw a lot of that my freshman year and I didn’t want to be on a team like that.”
Wiley played less than 10 minutes per game last season behind All-Conference forward Sean O’Brien and averaged 2.6 points, but it was a great learning experience for him.
“One thing ‘OB’ did consistently every game, whether he put the ball in the hole or not, was play hard every game,” Wiley noted. “He was a double-double machine because he played hard.”
During the off-season, Wiley was determined to refine his game so he could play a bigger role during his senior year.
“I looked at where I got the majority of my shots from and the type of shots I was taking, and I just went back over the summer and only practiced those shots I would take in a game,” he explained. “I also wanted to get better at finishing at the rim.”
The plan paid immediate dividends as he earned a starting spot at forward for the first eight games of the season. He had a career-high 19-point outing at Saint Louis and scored 14 points against North Carolina A&T. After moving to the bench to allow Armon Fletcher the opportunity to play forward, Wiley was still a key sub when he hurt his knee in the game against Drake on Dec. 31. He was originally told the injury would sideline him for two weeks, but an MRI revealed more extensive damage, and that timeline was pushed to 6-8 weeks. Wiley continues to rehab the knee with the outside chance he could play again this season.
“I’m really trying to come back, even if it’s for a game or two games,” he said. “I wasn’t too emotional about it at the time. I have a lot of life to live, a lot of basketball to play and stuff to accomplish. It hits me a little more now that these games are happening and I’m not playing in them.”
Wiley is in a good place, though. His academics are solid, his knee is improving and he has a host of career options ahead of him. He could try to play professionally, or get into coaching, or pursue a career in health care administration. He said time management is a skill he’s finally mastered, and it’s paying off.
“Being able to balance work, academics and basketball, finding time to still be with friends and do the stuff I like,” he said. “It’s all come together.”
Three RLC Allied Health students named Illinois Rural Health Association scholars
February 7, 2018 By Leave a Comment
From ReAnne Palmer, Rend Lake College Public Information
INA, IL – Three outstanding Rend Lake College students are being rewarded for their hard work and dedication to the local area with scholarships this spring through the Illinois Rural Health Association (IRHA).
Sarah Davis of Broughton, Brittney Pettit of Benton, and Jera Sloat of Bonnie were each awarded scholarships to help them complete RLC’s Health Information Technology (HIT) or Medical Coding programs, which are two of the fastest growing occupations across the country, according to the U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Because of this growing demand, and an on-going shortage of health professionals in rural areas, the IRHA awarded $12,000 this spring to deserving students enrolled in these programs who also expressed an interest and intent to work in a rural setting.
Sarah Davis
Davis, an HIT student, said the rural setting is exactly the place for her future. After continuing her education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Health Care Management, she plans to find full-time employment at a local hospital.
“Growing up in a rural area, I see the need for improved health care in rural hospitals. Quality health care needs improved in rural areas because many of those who live in rural areas struggle economically and cannot afford to travel to larger hospitals,” said Davis. “Hospitals in larger areas have more services because they have more money which pays for services.”
She continued, “That being said, smaller hospitals have to be more creative in finding ways to offer better treatment and more specialty-driven services. I would like to be part of improving rural health care by creating needed programs to bring to our rural hospitals and recruiting personnel to help do so.”
Brittney Pettit
Pettit echoed her words, saying she didn’t see herself working anywhere other than in small, local hospitals. The medical coding student currently works as a radiologic technician and plans to graduate in May of 2019.
“Things are easier in bigger hospitals. I’m a radiology technician now, so I know how things work in the smaller hospitals. I deal with people a lot in my area, and it feels nice to help them out. I don’t have plans to leave the area,” said Pettit.
In the future, Pettit said the idea of working from home as a medical coder seems like something she’d be interested in, but until then, she wants to stay in the smaller hospitals.
Though she agreed with her classmates, Sloat said she has slightly more complicated plans for the future. The HIT student is also taking courses in medical coding and has plans to take her credential examination for coding this May. With graduation set for 2019, she plans to work part-time as a medical coder to finish school and get experience as a health information technician.
Jera Sloat
“My plan is to stay around this area, but my plans are a little different than most. My long-term goal is to set up a non-profit in a rural area to help with health information,” said Sloat.
She explained that, having a son with a disability, health care information was extremely difficult to find in the local area. In fact, she had to look over 1,000 miles away to find answers for her family.
“I had to research for a long time before I finally found a hospital in Boston who had information we needed. There were a lot of things we missed along the way, but it’s all I had,” Sloat explained. “My ultimate goal is to get more information out there in rural communities, so other parents don’t have the same troubles I had.”
Davis, Pettit and Sloat are three of 12 students in Illinois to receive IRHA scholarships this spring. The IRHA is a collaborative association whose mission is to strengthen health systems for rural residents and communities through advocacy, education, networking, and leadership. To learn more about the IRHA, visit www.ilruralhealth.org.
Franklin County Farm Bureau News
February 7, 2018 By Leave a Comment
From Gay Bowlin, Franklin County Farm Bureau Manager
BENTON – We have been busy at the office so far this month. With a meeting on Truck Regulations last Friday that was attended by over 30 people from several counties to this past Tuesday when Dale Durchholz from Agri Visor gave the 21 people in attendance all of the information on the outlook of the grain markets. Our goal at Farm Bureau to to keep everyone well informed about farming issues and I feel we do a good job of that.
Also last week several counties held their annual FFA Acquaintance Day at SIU. We had 435 FFA students in attendance. This is an annual event and each year the breakout sessions lean toward a different topic. I am very proud that three of the four Franklin County Schools attended this event.
Plans have been in progress for the 2018 Farm City Days on June 9. If you would like more information on the event or how to be a part of it please visit our website at farmcitydaysil.com. Go to the event page and also visit the registration page if you would like to be a vendor or a volunteer.
It is time to start thinking about college scholarships and we have applications available at our office or call 435-3616 for more informations. The student must be going into an agriculture related field of study and must be a Franklin County Farm Bureau member or their parents must be. Applications are due the first week of April so don’t wait.
The Young Leaders are currently taking orders for their smoked pork loin again this year. The pork loins will be available to pick up March 28 & 29 just in time for Easter Dinner. I know it sounds like a long way off but we are limited to the number that we are able to cook so if you are interested please call the office or see a FranklinCounty Young Leader to get your order in.
Melissa Lamczyk is always busy teaching our youth about agriculture but if you would like to have her come to your classroom you can call the office and set up a date that would work. Melissa is excited about teaching the kids and we have found that the kids are just as excited to see her. Call today 435-3616.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers have finalized a rule that makes the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule applicable in two years. The decision prevents the rule from taking effect as the federal agencies reconsider and rewrite it.
Remember we are farmers working together. If we can help let us know.
Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois announces third event
February 6, 2018 By Leave a Comment
MARION – Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois celebrated its Inaugural Flight on April 25, 2017, honoring 55 veterans with a trip to Washington DC. With a goal of flying once per year, Veterans Honor Flight immediately began preparations for a second flight. Due to overwhelming support from the Southern Illinois community, Flight 2 was funded early and flew on October 17, 2017, using a larger aircraft, 68 veterans were flown. The Board of Directors began planning for a third flight before Flight 2 even took off.
From Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois
After months of planning, the Board of Directors of Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois is proud to announce Flight 3 has been set for April 24, 2018. Once again, area veterans will depart from Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois in Marion, on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Washington DC. The flight will return that evening after veterans have visited the National WWII Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, as well as other monuments and memorials in Washington.
“You know, we expected to fly once per year, and with a 50-seat aircraft,” Bryan Questelle, Chairman of the Board said. “Now we’re flying twice per year, with a 150 seat aircraft. The challenges are huge, but our board and volunteers get it done.”
The flight, provided free of charge to all veterans, is completely funded by donations to Veterans Honor Flight. For Flight 3, aircraft charter cost increased 15%. Already the single most expensive item on the trip, the chartered airliner cost increase significantly raised the overall trip cost by over $15,000.
Each veteran is accompanied on the flight by a guardian. Guardians ensure the safety of traveling veterans, provide mobility assistance, and emotional support during this unique day. Guardians may be friends or relatives of traveling veterans, or may be assigned from Veterans Honor Flight’s database. Each guardian receives training prior to flying, and is responsible for paying the guardian fee of $600. While this fee does not cover the entire cost of the seat, it helps ensure donations to Veterans Honor Flight are used for our veterans as much as possible.
Veterans Honor Flight strives to maintain the lowest level of overhead possible. At the end of the Inaugural Flight, treasurer Randall Youngblood announced the organization had maintained overhead costs of just 3.5%, meaning 96.5 cents of every dollar donated went directly towards a veteran on the flight.
Veterans wishing to apply for Flight 3 must have a completed veteran application submitted to Veterans Honor Flight no later than February 16, 2018. Guardians not associated with a veteran, who wish to be considered for Flight 3 must have a guardian application on file no later than February 16, 2018. Guardian training for Flight 3 will occur on March 24, 2018 at Veterans Airport, more information will be released later. All guardians must have completed training prior to flying. Veteran and guardian applications are available at www.veteranshonorflight.org.
Veterans Honor Flight would like to thank all individuals, corporations, and organizations who have donated to help make Flight 3 possible. Donations are still needed to ensure a successful flight and future flights. Donations may be made online at www.veteranshonorflight.org, by mailing a donation to Veterans Honor Flight, or at any Peoples National Bank location. Additionally, individual donations are available for wheelchair banners and veteran certificates. Those interested should contact Veterans Honor Flight at www.veteranshonorflight.org/contact.
Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois is a member of the Honor Flight Network, a national network dedicated to honoring our nation’s veterans by providing free trips to Washington DC to visit memorials built in their honor. Since 2005, the Honor Flight Network has transported over 200,000 veterans to their memorials. Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois was founded in 2016 and serves Southern Illinois south of US Route 50.
Update on the potential for winter weather for Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning
February 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Considerable uncertainty exists in the forecast of a winter storm system to impact the region Tuesday night.
This could be one of these systems that we could see nothing, or we could be dealing with a mess on Wednesday morning. Here in Franklin County we are right on the edge of the rain and snow line. Using a Jim Rasor term, we could see a mixed bag of precipitation. Below are a few graphics at this time, how much we are going to possibly get.
There is another round of wintry weather in the forecast from Friday night into Saturday night.
I will update this again this evening. -sd
Weather Prediction Center images
The Graphic above shows the chances of seeing between 1/100 to 1/10 of an inch of ice. The 40% line to 50% line cuts through the heart of Franklin County. All of the totals are from noon on Wednesday when the system should be clear of the area.
This graphic shows the percentage of receiving a tenth to a quarter of inch of freezing rain. Franklin County is right in the 30% range. The area shaded just south and east of us is in the 40% range.
This graphic displays total snow fall for the storm being in the 1″ to 2″ . Franklin County is in the 30% range on this one as well. When you adjust the graphic to 2″ to 4″. the chances are nearly non existent for that much snow.
Special Weather Statement
…Wintry Precipitation May Cause Travel Impacts Tuesday night into Early Wednesday Morning… Precipitation is expected to spread northeast across the region late Tuesday afternoon into the evening hours.
The heaviest precipitation is expected near a frontal boundary over northern Tennessee, but it is uncertain how far north across our region the precipitation will spread. At this time, it appears that the zone from Cape Girardeau Missouri to Evansville Indiana is the most likely region to receive significant precipitation with temperatures below freezing. Areas farther to the north will not see much precipitation, while areas farther south will likely remain above freezing for most of the event.
Some snow is likely as the precipitation develops Tuesday evening, but it will transition to freezing rain before coming to an end in the pre-dawn hours Wednesday. At this time, the potential exists for up to 2 inches of snow and or 2 tenths of an inch of icing in the area north and west of a Hickman to Calhoun Kentucky line. Please stay abreast of the latest forecasts for this developing weather event and be prepared to alter plans where possible.
Hazardous Weather Outlook
.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight A small chance of light snow is forecast this evening to the north of Highway 13 in southern Illinois and across southwest Indiana. A light dusting will be possible mainly along and north of Interstate 64.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Tuesday through Sunday A wintry mix of precipitation is expected Tuesday night over much of the region. Please refer to the Special Weather Statement for details. A wintry mix of precipitation is possible Friday night and Saturday morning, and again Saturday night. It is too early to speculate on precipitation type and amounts.
Seven Day Forecast
Today
Increasing clouds, with a high near 33. South wind 5 to 9 mph.
Tonight
A slight chance of snow between 7pm and 9pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 24. South wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 34. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph.
Tuesday Night
Freezing rain likely, possibly mixed with snow, becoming all freezing rain after 4am. Cloudy, with a low around 25. Northeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 35. North northwest wind 7 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 16. North northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Calm wind becoming south southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming south southwest after midnight.
Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 49. South southwest wind 7 to 10 mph.
Friday Night
A slight chance of snow showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. South wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm.
Saturday
A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Northeast wind around 6 mph.
Saturday Night
A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable.
Sunday
Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Northwest wind 7 to 9 mph.
Patti’s 1880’s Settlement on fire
February 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment
KFVS image
GRAND RIVERS, KY — WPSD-TV is reporting fire departments across Western Kentucky are fighting a kitchen fire at the popular eating establishment, Patti’s 1880 Settlement.
Grand Rivers Mayor Tom Moody says the kitchen area of the restaurant is on fire.
Further updates will be provided as well as video updates from Channel 6, will be provided on the Franklin County News Online Facebook page.
