The Benton Runnin’ Rangers track team is selling tickets this week for its annual pork chop sandwich fundraiser. You can get a pork chop sandwich, chips, and a drink for $5.00. Orders can be picked up between 11:00 am – 1:30 pm on Saturday, May 4th, at the Capitol Building Pavilion on the Benton Public Square. All proceeds will go to the Benton track program.
Benton Runnin’ Rangers track team holding annual pork chop sandwich fundraiser
May 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Busy Benton street to be closed on Tuesday
March 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The city of Benton has announced a road closure for Tuesday that could impact travel plans.
North Du Quoin Street between Carlton Street and Petroff Road will be closed on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. KPS Construction Company will be performing work on the city’s sanitary sewer system.
North Du Quoin Street is a north-south road that runs off West Main Street only a short distance east from Interstate 57. The area to be closed is located on the far north end of North Du Quoin Street, north of the Benton Post Office.
Benton man arrested on domestic battery, drug charges
March 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment
A 51-year-old Benton man is in Franklin County Jail following a domestic disturbance at a residence in Benton’s north side.
According to a report Benton police were called to the 400 block of North Madison Street in reference to a domestic disturbance. When officers arrived and investigated the allegations, Cornelius M. Stallings was arrested and charged with two counts of domestic battery, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of cannabis and unlawful possession of syringe/needle. Stallings was taken to Franklin County Jail where he remains in custody.
Emergency management officials encourage local residents to prepare for severe weather
March 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Benton – Southern Illinois is no stranger to the devastating effects of severe weather. It was just over one year ago this past week that neighbors were helping neighbors, and communities were banding together to help those in need affected by the Leap Day 2012 Severe Weather outbreak.
Emergency management officials in Franklin County are encouraging the public to use this week to update severe weather plans, conduct drills, and learn more about severe weather in their community. Severe Weather Preparedness Week runs from March 3rd to March 9th, 2013 in Illinois. Activities scheduled for this week include a statewide tornado drill and a storm spotter training session. Franklin County’s
Director of Emergency Management is encouraging citizens to get serious about severe weather preparedness and ensure homes and businesses are equipped with a NOAA All-Hazards Alert Radio.
“Having a NOAA all-hazards alert radio in your home or business is just as important as having a working
smoke detector”, said Director Ryan M. Buckingham. Citizens are encouraged to have several ways to
receive warning information in case your primary method of receiving information is rendered
incapacitated.
A statewide tornado drill will be conducted on Tuesday, March 5th at 10:00 AM. The drill will give everyone
a chance to practice current severe weather plans and procedures.
“Practicing your plan will ensure that you know what to do when a warning is issued. Following a well-made and practiced plan will reduce
confusion and provide a basic level of safety should a real severe weather event occur.” added Buckingham.
Local warning systems will be activated during the drill and citizens are encouraged to practice their severe weather emergency plans at that time.
Emergency Management officials will be hosting a public storm spotter training session on Thursday, March 7th at 6:00 PM at the Christopher Civic Center located at 208 N. Thomas Street in Christopher. In partnership with the National Weather Service, officials will train attendees on how to detect and report severe weather in their community. Attendees will also have a chance at winning one of two NOAA All-Hazards alert radios that will be given away during the event. The training is free of charge and is open to anyone who would like to attend.
For more information on severe weather preparedness visit www.ready.illinois.gov. Additional information on local events scheduled for severe weather preparedness week can be obtained by contacting Franklin County Emergency Management Agency at (618) 439-4EMA.
West Frankfort woman arrested for DUI
March 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment
A 39-year-old West Frankfort woman was arrested Sunday by Benton police on an alcohol-related driving offense.
According to the police report April L. Williams was stopped during a routine traffic stop on Wastena Street, in Benton. During the investigation it was determined that Williams was under the influence of alcohol. Williams was cited for DUI, speeding, illegal transportation of alcohol, expired registration and operating an uninsured vehicle.
Williams was taken to the Franklin County Jail.
Benton man arrested on outstanding warrant
February 27, 2013 By Leave a Comment
A 22-year-old Benton man was arrested by Benton police on an outstanding warrant.
According to a police report Kyle M. Holsapple was taken into custody on a warrant for failure to appear in court. Holsapple was taken to Franklin County Jail for further processing.
Benton Public Library to hold book sale
February 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Benton Public Library will hold a used book sale on Saturday, March 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the library’s meeting room.
Every book will be only 25 cents, or shoppers can fill a bag for just $2. Bags will be provided or shoppers may bring their own.
“These are quality books,” said library director Erin Steinsultz. “We often get duplicate donations or books that may not be timely enough to add to our collection. They would still make for great reading. We have great things for sale.”
“At just a quarter, you can throw it in the back of the car or just keep it around. If you never read it, you’re not out much,” said Steinsultz.
“We also have some used library books for sale,” said Steinsultz. “There is a big variety. Profits help us to buy new materials.”
There is no preview before the sale. Doors will open at 9 a.m. on Saturday as the library opens.
For more information, call the library at 618-438-7511.
Risley enters not guilty plea during arraingment hearing
February 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment
By Jim Muir
Norman Dwayne Risley, the 59-year-old Sesser man facing charges that include making bombs, possession of explosive devices and solicitation of a child pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Franklin County Circuit Court.
Norman Dwayne Risley
Risley appeared for an arraignment hearing before Judge Tom Tedeschi where he entered the plea. Risley is being represented by the Benton law firm Drew & Drew.
Risley remains free on $75,000 cash bond which represents 10 percent of the $750,000 bond that was set after Risley was arrested on Dec. 21, 2012 and charged with three felony counts and one misdemeanor that includes one count of unlawful possession of explosives, one count of unlawful use of weapons, one count of indecent solicitation of a child and an additional single count of sexual exploitation of a child.
A Franklin County Grand Jury also returned a true bill of indictment against Risley when it met earlier this month.
Risley was arrested after Sesser police, working on a tip, began investigating allegations that he had solicited the minor child. When law enforcement authorities gained entry through a search warrant to Risley’s residence and uncovered the cache of explosives that included 11 separate explosive devices, explosive compounds and 16 blasting caps. The charges allege that Risley “intended to use the explosive devices to commit a felony.”
The charge of indecent solicitation of a child alleges that Risley approached a child under the age of 17 and “discussed and solicited the child to perform an an act of sexual penetration.”
Along with local law enforcement, state police, ATF agents and other federal authorities also participated in the investigation and arrest.
Risley will next return to court for a pre-trial hearing on May 9.
Firefighters gather in Benton for training
February 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment
By Bruce A. Fasol
Sixty-five firefighters from across the region gathered in Benton last week for training. Training Officer Jeff Coleman, of the Benton Fire department, told franklincounty-news.com that the training was called “Fire Cause and Origin.” The class offered firefighters training on preserving the fire scene for example, said Coleman.
Firefighters from throughout the state were in Benton recently for a training session.
Also included was instruction on detecting the cause of a fire through investigative methods.
“We have to be able to say where the fire initially started,” said Coleman in describing the basic seminar points.
This is done, in part, for insurance purposes according to the Training officer.
The guest speaker for the conference was Eddie Bain, from Champaign,Illinois. Bain is a retired Fire Chief. he currently is Director of Investigative Programs for the Illinois Fire Service Institute.
A dozen different fire departments sent representatives to the conference. The department traveling the farthest distance was the Marissa Fire Department. This training was a classroom training only, with no laboratory. There will also be other trainings on various aspects of firefighting throughout the year, according to Coleman. Such training is mandatory in various aspects of the work, in Illinois.
Benton police have busy weekend, three arrested following domestic disturbance
February 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Three people were arrested at a Benton residence on Saturday after a domestic disturbance.
According to the report Benton police were called to a residence in the 600 block of Pope Stret in reference to a fight. Through investigation, police arrested Angela K. Dugger, age 19, McLeansboro, for unlawful consumption of alcohol, Labreeska A. Reed, age 37, Pittsburg, IL, for obstructing and resisting a peace officer, and a male juvenile for aggravated battery, criminal damage to government supported property, criminal damage to property, battery, unlawful consumption of alcohol, and three counts of domestic battery. All suspects were charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
In two separate incidents Benton police also conducted a traffic stop at on West Taylor Street on Saturday, Feb. 9 and subsequently arrested Dawn Johnston, age 35, of Benton for driving while license suspended. Johnston was also issued citations for failure to notify the Secretary of State of change in address, and operating an uninsured vehicle. Johnston was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
Additionally, on February 9, 2013 Benton Police arrested Autumn L. Elkins, age 27, of Benton for domestic battery. Elkins was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
