Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
There was a huge slate of candidates, and I must say very well qualified candidates, for the Frankfort Community District #168 school board. Incumbents Mary Moreland, Geroge Karoski and Barbara Glodich were defeated in Tuesday’s school board election.
There was a head to head competition two fill the remainder of a two year term. Keith Griffith defeated Amy Durfee with 1134 votes to 705.
There were nine running for the four remaining full terms that were open on the board. Retired Special Education teacher and administrator Gayle Crawford received the most votes with 1,183. Attorney Warren Campbell Brown was second with 1,013. Jon Alexander received 992, and Amanda Tinsley was the last that was elected with 695.
The ones who where not elected had the following votes: Karsoki 668, Sue Forgatch 649, Glodich 633, Moreland 446, and Shannone Steinberger 188.
In the Benton High School District 103 Board race; Whittington Church pastor Mark Minor was the top vote getter with 1,882, dentist Robin LaBuwi 1,636, newcomer to the board Mark Franklin was elected with 1,314 votes. Ronald Slayton was defeated with 704 votes.
In the Benton Grade School District 47 Board race, former BCHS principal Gary Messersmith received the most votes with 991. The other three elected were Brad Wilson 893, Lex Stewart 882, and Derek Stowers 792. Norman Carlile with 728 votes, W. Scott Rice with 679, and Ron Winemiller with 647 votes rounded out the field.
Darren Fletcher (340 votes), Craig Zinzileta (322), Jacob Page (318), and Tommy G. Harmon (267) were elected to the Ewing-Northern grade school board. Susan Shelton was not chosen with 231 votes.
In the Thompsonville Unit District 174 School Board race (Hamilton County Numbers included), Krista McFarland Shelby received the most votes with 193, Natalie Dixon 166, and Michael Miller was also elected with 159. John Bush was defeated with 113 votes.
In the Christopher Unit 99 School Board race, Charles Mazur (505 votes), Angela Basolo-Bond (493) and Susan Raben (387) were elected. Steve Marlow received 335 votes and Angie Montegia 310.
The school board races in the Sesser-Vailer and Akin school districts were uncontested. The final Zeigler-Royalton numbers will be posted at a later date.
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BENTON, IL- (Evie Allen, WSIL TV. Please click on to read the whole story and watch the accompanying video. Here is an excerpt.) Emergency response could soon come a little quicker for people in Benton. Wednesday, the fire department unveiled its new ambulance, and it didn’t cost the city a dime. The next time a Benton resident has an emergency, they could see fire crews roll up in a new vehicle. “It’s been a great experience so far. We’re excited about getting it started,” said Benton Fire Chief Shane Cockrum. This spring, Chief Cockrum and his crew are putting the final touches on their very first ambulance vehicle.
BENTON, IL – Please click for the schedule for the Rend Lake Water Festival, from the Benton-West City Chamber of Commerce. Here is the theme this year. 2017 Theme: Communities Moving Forward! With the upcoming construction, new opportunities coming to our area in the coming years, and the turbulence of 2016 – we think this is an optimistic attitude for 2017. We encourage parade entries to celebrate how you think we are moving forward. Business expansion, community programs, our youth achievements on the field and in the classroom, our military & public safety services, the Eclipse, increased tourism and recreation activities, our rich history and traditions all contribute to our community – and the goals of becoming an even more prosperous area for future generations. Let’s make it great!! 