Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
Staff Report
Sixteen emergency managers from throughout the state of Illinois are participating in Operation Tremor, an earthquake exercise being conducted in Marion, Illinois April 8 through April 10. The sixteen emergency managers are members of the Illinois Emergency Services Management
Association’s (IESMA) Emergency Management Assistance Team (EMAT).
The link below has all the information.
By Jim Muir
The Sesser-Valier Red Devils will have a new basketball coach when the 2013-14 season begins this fall.
Chip Basso, who also serves as the school’s athletic director, has submitted his resignation as basketball coach, effective immediately.
Basso, who has 18 years total in coaching at SV, including stints at the junior high, as a high school assistant and as head coach for four years.
Basso, who will remain as AD at the school, said “it’s just time” when asked about his decision to step away from coaching after nearly two decades. Basso said his son entering junior high next year was instrumental in his decision.
“Between being AD and coaching I missed several of his games last year and I need to be there for him,” said Basso. “When Danny (longtime former coach Danny Kirk) retired I took the job but it was understood that I wasn’t staying forever. It’s just time for me to step away from coaching.”
In his first year as head coach Basso led the Red Devils to a storybook season that included a second place finish in the IHSA Class 1A state tournament in Peoria. During the course of the memorable post season run the Red Devils registered wins over an excellent Crab Orchard team, Meridian, an overtime win over Woodlawn in the super sectional and a win over state-ranked Madison in a semi-final match up before falling to Salt Fork in the title game.
The SV school board will meet Monday night (April 8) and is expected to accept Basso’s resignation. The job will be posted and made available to current school district employees before any consideration is given to an outside hire.
Benton police reported a busy weekend with the following arrests:
On April 6th, 2013 Benton Police were dispatched to the 600 block of Grayson Street in reference to criminal damage to property. Through investigation, police arrested Mark S. Eubanks, age 32, of Benton for domestic battery and criminal trespass to real property. Eubanks was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
On April 7th, 2013 Benton Police arrested Daniel S. Hobbs, age 23, of Benton on an active Saline County warrant for failure to appear. Hobbs was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
On April 7th, 2013 Benton Police were dispatched to the 100 block of Reed Street in reference to a domestic in progress. Upon arrival and through investigation, police arrested James E. Springer, age 28, of Benton for domestic battery and resisting a peace officer. Stringer was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
Many exciting events are happening at the Benton Public Library this month!
SHARE and Polaris are coming
The library is joining the SHARE database of over 10 million books from 427 libraries in Southern Illinois. The library will transition to the new database system, called Polaris, from April 1 to 8.
Some of the library’s usual services will be unavailable during this time, including interlibrary loan requests, also known as holds requests. Hold requests will resume April 9. The library staff asks for patience during the transition. The new database and the number of items available should make small inconveniences worth it.
Trivia Night is April 20
The 10th Annual Benton Public Library Trivia Night will be held at the library on Saturday, April 20. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Play begins at 7 p.m. Teams of 6 to 8 players are welcome.
There will be a fee of $10 per person. Members of the library’s Teen Advisory Board will be available to join a team for $20 more.
Proceeds will benefit the library’s Teen Summer Reading Program. Many generous local businesses have donated door prizes. Joelle Keener and Austin Endicott, members of the library’s Teen Advisory Board, have been visiting businesses to distribute flyers and solicit door prize donations.
“The businesses have been very supportive and also very interested in the Trivia Night,” said Endicott. “I like trivia and I hope I get a chance to play on a team.”
Questions are developed by Steinsultz and staff member Joe DeVillez and cover a wide variety of subjects.
“Everyone should leave feeling like they’ve been able to answer something and contributed to their team,” said Steinsultz. “Between Joe’s useless information and mine, we cover a lot of ground.”
“TAB members are always very important to getting things set up, taking flyers around town, and getting door prizes, but they never know the questions ahead of time,” said library director Erin Steinsultz.
TAB members offer an extra boost of knowledge and may know different subject areas than those on a team.
“TAB members are in school now, sometimes members of Scholar Bowl, and generally very avid readers,” said Steinsultz. “They make a great addition for just $20 more. They may give a team that extra competitive edge.”
Advanced registration is encouraged, but teams can also sign up at the door. For more information, call 438-7511.
Something for Everyone
Regular library activities continue in April, including walking class Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. and Children’s Story time Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m.
Teen Game Day will be April 15 at 3 p.m. All teens and tweens are welcome for fun board games in the meeting room. Snacks are provided.
A Talking Books presentation will be held April 16 at 2 p.m. All are welcome to come learn about the services of the Talking Books and Braille Services and the Illinois Machine Lending Agency, which provides unabridged audio books to Illinois residents with visual and other physical disabilities.
The library’s monthly Book Club meets at noon on April 17 to discuss Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.
An eReader Workshop will be April 22 at 6 p.m. Learn more about what the library has to offer by way of downloadable books for your eReader using your Benton Public Library card.
Family Craft Day will be held April 25 at 4 p.m. Join us to make a Mother’s Day craft.
More information can be found online at www.benton.lib.il.us or by phone at (618) 438-7511.
Do you need something to motivate you to work out? Maybe you would love to work out in a fun way, but you are afraid of getting in over your head? Maybe you have been working out for some time, and are physically fit, but need a change.
Or maybe you need something to challenge you as your workouts have become routine and easy for you. Are you too shy to take a class? If any of these describe your situation, you need to check out the classes at American Fitness in Christopher, IL.
American Fitness offers a variety of classes for all fitness levels. Classes take place Monday through Thursday, and Saturday. Most classes are free with your Gym Membership. You can also purchase a “Classes Only” package if you prefer. We try to encourage and help our members to achieve whichever goal they have set for themselves. Our instructors are there to help you and make each one feel welcome and comfortable in their class.
Once you have attended a class we are sure you will be back! Moves are modified for you and you can also work at your own pace. Class schedules are always posted at the gym, on Facebook, on our website www.americanfitnessllc.com or you can call 724-4000 during business hours to see what classes are offered. Try one ….or try them all!
On Monday and Wednesday from 5:30 – 6:30 pm, Clint Mayer teaches Boot Camp. A prison guard by day, Clint knows about fitness. When asked about his class, Clint said, “This class works for everyone no matter how old you are or what shape you are in.” He goes on to explain that “Every exercise has a modification for your fitness level.” In looking over the class participants, you know that is true. Participants from 10 yrs to over 60 yrs old were enjoying the class. With good music and a 100% positive environment, this class works every body part from your shoulders to your toes. It features hit training and intense cardio.
On Tuesday from 5:00 – 6:00 pm and Saturday 9:30 – 10:30 am, Storey Mayer teaches Tabata. Tabata is a type of high intensity interval training. It consists of 20 seconds of high intensity exercise, 10 seconds of rest, and repeats 8 times for a total of 4 minutes. Storey focuses on targeting different areas such as your legs, abs, glutes and arms. Storey keeps you moving and what a great class to tone up!
On Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 – 7:00 pm, Mitchell Witcher, is a certified Zumba Instructor. Zumba is a very fun and exciting class full of all kinds of different dance moves including Latin and international music. Michelle also uses many songs that you hear on the radio every day! You will forget that you are working out because you are having so much fun and you don’t need any previous dance experience at all. The workout is basically ‘watch and follow’. You will be surprised at how fast you catch on to the routines! The moves are repeated often and are not complicated. Some songs are fast and sometimes she slows it down a bit, but you are burning those calories the entire hour!
Saturday from 9:30 – 10:30 am Hayley Hudgens, wife of owner Trent Hudgens teaches our most popular class, American Rhythm & Dance. Hayley designed this class with a mixture of dance, aerobics, and a high intensity cardio. The dance moves work your legs, arms, and core for a full body workout. Although the class is an hour long she incorporates 16 songs non stop. The class goes by fast because you laugh, scream and have FUN! She comes up with new moves and you never know when she will pull another one out for you to try. I assure you when you leave her class there won’t be a dry spot on you even though they keep their classes at 68 degrees at all times and all fans are on. Her classes are normally always full so be sure & get signed up. You never know what she has in store for you and it is always something new & exciting I assure you. Awesome is the only word to describe Hayley and her unique American Rhythm & Dance class!
Wednesday Mornings from 9:30 – 10:30 am, Holly Wangler teaches Senior Stretch. After a light warm up this class focuses on strengthening the major muscle groups. Low impact cardio intervals are done with exercises to keep the heart rate up. Floor static stretches are then done for the muscles that were just worked. The class is ended with core exercises to strengthen the abdominal & lower back muscles. This class helps to stretch those muscles that are not used to help keep them moving & in shape. This class has people of all ages participating and both men & women love what Holly has in store for them on Wednesday mornings! Holly is a Certified Health Fitness Specialist and serves as a personal trainer for the gym. Next week, you’ll learn all about Holly’s services.
Wednesday from 6:30 – 7:30 pm, Tracy Walker teaches Low Impact Aerobics & Dance. This class is a mixture of Zumba and American Rhythm & Dance, but is meant for people just starting out their exercise routines. Tracy throws in allot of different dances with a much slower pace but you get a great workout. She modifies moves for those who have certain issues. This class is a lot of fun and a great way to burn calories! Each of our Instructors has their own unique way of helping you to achieve your goal whatever it may be!
These are just a few of the classes offered at American Fitness with many more to come. Trent Hudgens, owner and operator says that many new & exciting things are in the works at American Fitness. He hasn’t given out any details but assures us that American Fitness is soon to be the “Largest” fitness center in Franklin County with the “Lowest” rates. New & exciting things are about to come to Christopher, IL … home of American Fitness!
Staff Report
Two Benton teenagers were arrested Saturday night by Benton police and both are facing a variety of drug-related charges.
According to the police report, officers responded to an emergency call in the 200 block of South Pine Street. After officers arrived, and following an investigation, police arrested Samantha R. Wheatley, 19, of Benton for unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of cannabis, manufacturing or delivery of cannabis, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Police also arrested Joe D. Jackson, 18, of Benton for unlawful possession of cannabis, manufacturing or delivery of cannabis, unlawful possession of hypodermic syringe or needle, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Both were transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
By Tammy Head
Have you ever scrolled through Facebook and a cute photo of a child grabbed your attention? I think we all have.
When you start seeing photo after photo of adorable kids in tutus with smiles on their angelic faces, then you see the mothers of those little ones singing the praises of teenage girls you know….well you just have to explore more!
Center Stage Dance Co. opened in October 2012 in the old Benton Fitness Center building. Although they have only been open a short time, they have some good things going on! Owned and Operated by Natalie Hartley, they have classes going on Monday through Thursday and a lot of those classes are taught by some very special teens: Haylee Knight and Pari Davis.
Pari teaches tumbling and cheer classes to students age 2 – 14 years. From Beginning to Intermediate Tumbling, and Jr. & Sr. Cheer Pom, Pari has her hands full! She teaches 2 classes per night Monday through Thursday.
Although her favorite class to teach is Cheer Pom, she also loves the tumbling. When asked what makes her class special she said “We work hard on what we need to get done, but we also have fun too. Sometimes we play the limbo or play with hula hoops.” Check out the photos on their Facebook page and you know they have fun! From the bright pink and black pom pons to the neon green and pink walls, the studio just screams fun!
When asked about Pari, Natalie said, “Although Pari is a junior in high school, she is more like a Mom to these kids. She is very dedicated and motivated to teach these kids how to do the basics of tumbling and get them flipping! I can’t imagine having anyone else teach our tumbling.”
Pari Davis
Haylee Knight is a member of the newly crowned State Champion Rangler Girls. She and Natalie work together to teach dance Monday through Thursday nights. Haylee started as Natalie’s student when she was just a little girl and immediately Natalie realized she had natural talent and would be dancing for years. Natalie said, “She’s wonderful with children, a good teacher and leader because she is dedicated to dance. It’s more than a job to her. She loves it!”
Haylee said her favorite part of teaching is seeing the results. She has seen some real transformations in some of her students. She teaches 5 classes of different age groups from 3 to 12 years old.
Whether you talk to the owner, the teachers, the parents or the students, you hear that Center Stage Dance Co is different. They strive to teach the true art of dance and the true foundation of gymnastics. They want to make sure that parents are getting what they pay for, and they keep their prices low as possible so that every child has the opportunity to experience going to dance or gymnastics classes. They don’t want any kid watching from the sidelines because of financial issues.
Maybe the reason Pari and Haylee are so good with their students is that Natalie has set a good example for them. She herself has been dancing since she was 2 years old, and teaching for over 17 years. When she talks about her studio she lights up as bright as the neon pink and green paint! You can see that it isn’t just her job, it’s her passion!
They have several Day Camps going on next week during Spring Break, along with their regular classes. They are filling up quickly so call 927-6176 for details and to get on the list.
Haylee Knight, left and Natalie Hartley.
Tournament MVP Bronson Verhines (Woodlawn) addresses the crowd gathered for Wednesday’s national basketball championship celebration at Rend Lake College. The national title trophy and game ball rest on the table behind Verhines. It is the first basketball national championship for the southern Illinois college. Numerous fans showed for the afternoon event held in James “Hummer” Waugh Gym. Jim Muir emceed and speakers included RLC President Terry Wilkerson, Athletic Director Tim Wills, Coach Randy House, and players Trice Whaley (Jeffersonville, Ind.), Corey Ayala (Metropolis) and Verhines. The entire team and coaching staff were in attendance – Dawson Verhines (Woodlawn), Jeril Taylor (Louisville, Ky.), Noel Allen (Guttenburg, N.J.) Dennis Froemling (Campbell Hill), Jesse Smith (Campbell Hill), Alonzo Singletary (Chicago), Stephon Bryant (Louisville, Ky.), Montez Buford (Louisville, Ky.), Montez Williams (East St. Louis), Antoine Buchanon (Middleton, Wisc.), and Cortez Macklin (Louisville, Ky.), Assistant Coach Dana Morgan, Assistant Coach Ward McDaniel, and Assistant Coach Tommy Holder.
By Bruce A. Fasol
The Zeigler City Council held a short 16 minute meeting Tuesday night. All members of the council were present.
New City Treasurer Ryan Thorpe presented his first annual budget to the council. He told council members that he was beginning work on departmental appropriations and desired input.
Mayor Dennis Mitchell informed the council that he had received some documents from the police department regarding the financial section of their contract. However, there were no proposals for the council to vote on just yet.
City Clerk Pam Perry said that there had been no contact with the developer believed to be looking to bring a Dollar General Store to that community.
By Kelly Stewart
For the sixth year, Benton Consolidated High School has been awarded the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) Grant that provides before and after school activities for students and parents. The grant was written by BCHS Curriculum/Technology Director Marla Harp and served 262 students last school year. The 21st Century Program offers dual credit classes with Rend Lake College, credit recovery classes for students behind on graduation credits, before and after school tutoring, and noncredit/ leisure classes as well as parent programming.
During the Spring 2013 semester, eight classes are being offered. Two of these classes are considered enrichment for students who want to further their educational opportunities while in high school. Western Civilization II, the first of these enrichment courses, is a dual credit class with Rend Lake College. Students taking this class receive credit toward graduation from BCHS as well as RLC credit. Students do not have to pay tuition for the class, providing a savings of $279 ($93 an hour for the 3 hour course). While we offer several dual credit classes during the school day, without the grant, we would not be able to offer this course. The second enrichment class, Advanced Biology (targeted to college bound students who want to strengthen their knowledge in science) offers a more sophisticated and complex study of biological concepts.
Algebra and Practical English, considered credit recovery classes, are also offered during the Spring 2013 semester. Recovery classes are a very effective way of giving students the ability to graduate with their class by opening up a second chance at a failed course. Last year, 12 students were able to graduate on time thanks to before/after school classes via the 21st Century Grant Program.
The grant is not limited to academics; we also have some noncredit courses that students enjoy such as Ranger Achievement (Build- it, Fix-it), Principles of Okinawan Karate and Practical Self-Defense, Creative Writing Workshop, and String Chamber. For example, Principles of Okinawan Karate and Practical Self-Defense instructs students on how to not only deal with but also avoid dangerous situations. String Chamber, taught by BCHS Band Director Gretchen Bennett, gives students who play stringed instruments (not part of the regular band curriculum) the opportunity to improve their musical skills.
Tutoring and student access to the computer lab before and after school are a vital service provided by the grant. We are extremely fortunate to have former BCHS Math Department Chair Mrs. Mary Ellen Aiken as our Site Coordinator. She is available to assist students with tutoring from 6:45 am-8:00am, Monday through Friday, and from 3:00pm-5:00pm, Monday through Thursday in the library. During after school tutoring, Mrs. Aiken is assisted by Barb Phelps and student tutor Chelsee Bushue.
Students are not the sole focus of the grant. Parent programming such as Genealogy, Ipad Training, Scrapbooking and FAFSA (student loan application) Workshops are offered. Clearly, through the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) Grant, BCHS has been able to extend opportunities beyond the normal 8 to 3 day to students. Mrs. Harp and the instructors and staff have made every effort to make this program successful for BCHS students and to improve it each year.
