Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
The Franklin County Highway Department has issued road closures in the county due to flooding.
Roads that are impassable due to water as of Sunday, June 2 are: Deering Road, Park Street Road and Peach Orchard Road.
Emergency management officials remind drivers not to attempt to cross when water is over the roadway. The rule used is: Turn around, don’t drown.
By J. Larry Miller
The warmer temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday were certainly welcome and I was beginning to lose my confidence in Al Gore and global warming. There is still some concern as cooler temperatures are forecast this weekend. Corn that was planted almost 2 weeks ago has sprouted and is possibly going to make it.
Larry Miller, executive director Franklin County Farm Bureau
April is the cruelest month,” the poet T.S. Eliott wrote in 1922, and it’s a judgment many nervous Illinois farmers might share in 2013.
The five-year average for corn planting is 40 percent. This year, with rain-saturated fields and cool soils, just 1 percent of the corn is in the ground, according to the weekly Illinois Weather and Crops report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
As of April 24, the month already had been the fourth-wettest in Illinois history, according to Jim Angel, state climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey. The state average rain was 6.58 inches and within striking distance of the record 7.40 in April 2011, Angel said. April’s average is 3.77.
Farmers are not looking forward to the forecast for the rest of this week with lost of rain possible. Looks like it will be at least next week before much else can be done in the fields. But as a farmer there are always many things that need attention around the farm so inside work will get caught up during this time.
The 2nd Annual Franklin County Farm Bureau Antique Tractor Drive Josh Odom Memorial will be held on May 11th in conjunction with the Rend Lake Water Festival. The Young Leaders have been working diligently in getting local implement dealers to come and set up equipment on the parking lot across from McDonald’s in West City at the Rend Lake Plaza.
The tractor drive will begin with registration at 10:00 a.m. and leave Rend Lake Plaza at 10:30 to drive around the lake and enjoy the day. Right now the weather says we will have a high of 79 degrees which will be perfect weather for the event.
We still have plenty of room for entries for the antique tractors to participate – with a $10 entry fee that will get you a t-shirt and a fish dinner this is quite reasonable. The television show “Small Town, Big Deal” will be here filming for this event so Franklin County will be on national television and get some major recognition for all that we do. Let’s get as many tractors to participate as possible for a good showing.
For more information call the Franklin County Farm Bureau at (618) 435-3616 to reserve your space today.
Remember we are farmers working together. If we can help let us know.
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.
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.
By Jim Muir
The Sesser Chamber of Commerce met Tuesday, February 26 for its regular monthly meeting and heard a presentation about a regional business that is helping local businesses in a variety of ways.
Tracey Glenn, of Carterville, told chamber members about the services provided by Extra Help, a new company that assists businesses in hiring, screening process for employees, temporary staffing needs and payroll services. Glenn is visiting local chambers of commerce explaining the advantages Extra Help is bringing to local businesses.
It was also reported during the meeting that “Sesser Shopping Days” will be held on April 11-13 with the main focus geared to Rend Lake campers at the start of the camping season and to draw attention to Sesser businesses as a viable shopping area for those using the hundreds of campsites at nearby Rend Lake. As part of the event the Sesser Chamber will have a raffle at various local businesses and on the final day of Sesser Shopping days – April 13 — five entries will be drawn and each will be awarded $20 in “Sesser Dollars.” Businesses that want to participate can reach the Sesser Chamber at subwayman88@gmail.com.
Also during the meeting members approved the purchase of a half-page ad in the Rend Lake Campers’ paper that is produced locally. The chamber will use the ads for the 2013 camping season to advertise chamber members, promote local events like Sesser Shopping Days. The paper is printed monthly and given to each camper checking into any of the Corps of Engineers’ Campgrounds.
The Chamber also approved an expense of $200 to help sponsor the 2nd Annual Road Rebels Car Show on Aug. 16th. The event brought over 100 cars to town last year and was considered a huge success. It was also reported during the meeting that the Sesser Chamber now has 35 members and continues to grow.
The next meeting, which is held in the Woll Room above 3 Brothers Restaurant (formerly Sesser Opera House Restaurant), will be held on March 26 at 10 a.m.
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.
High wind gusts are possible Tuesday and Wednesday as a cold front blows through the area.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory, in effect from noon Tuesday through noon Wednesday.
The gusty winds are expected to start this Tuesday afternoon and continue throughout the night. Winds are expected to be in the 25 to 35 mile-per-hour range with gusts up to 40-45 miles per hour.
Winds could produce minor damage such as tree limbs down or shingle/roof damage.
Residents are advised to use caution on the roads, as wind gusts can make driving dangerous, especially in high-profile vehicles.
Also look around your yard and secure any loose items that could blow around.
By BRUCE A. FASOL
The Franklin-Williamson Regional Office of Education may be getting a name change.
The Franklin County Board agreed Tuesday to a joint resolution sought by the Franklin-Williamson Regional Office of Education to incorporate Johnson County into its office. Johnson County’s Board had already passed the joint resolution last week, and Williamson County Board members voted in favor of it on Thursday morning.
The office expansion stems from a request by Franklin-Williamson Regional Superintendent Matt Donkin, and is prompted by state efforts to reduce the number of regional offices statewide. A state law passed last spring requires that the number of regional offices of education be reduced from 44 to 35 by July 1, 2015, the date the next term of office for the state’s elected regional superintendents begins.
Offices that serve populations of less than 61,000 people have until June 30 to consolidate with larger offices. The Franklin-Williamson office serves a larger population and does not have to consolidate. But Johnson County, which is part of ROE 2, a 5-county office that also serves Alexander, Massac, Pope and Union counties, is affected. If the offices do not consolidate by June 30, the state board of education will step in and mandate the new districts.
Regional offices of education serve as liaisons between the Illinois Board of Education and local school districts. They oversee programs including teacher certification, GED testing, bus driver training and truancy prevention.
By BRUCE A. FASOL
Some county residents have received a letter from the Franklin County State’s Attorney that begins with an apology. The letters were sent to voters who had cast absentee ballots in the March 2012 primary election and early voting.
In the letter, Evan Owens points out that it is his duty to represent County Clerk Dave Dobill. The letter outlines an election challenge being made by primary election loser Kent Renshaw. Renshaw lost to Eric Dirnbeck in the race for Judge. Owens outlined the situation in a lettert o affected voters which was obtained by FranklinCounty-News.com reading ( in part):
“The election was held in 12 counties and decided by less than fifty votes. Mr. Renshaw is attempting to cast doubt on the eligibility and the votes of many Franklin County citizens. You are receiving this letter because Mr. Renshaw is contesting your right to vote in the election , attempting to ‘spoil’ your ballot, or otherwise asking that your vote not be counted.”
Owens goes on to explain to voters contacted just why their vote is being called into question. “Some of the allegations of Mr. Renshaw included that a voter moved from a residence prior to the election or that the voter’s signature at the time they voted did not match the signature card on file with the county clerk.”
The Franklin County State’s Attorney’s office has contacted many of these voters who ballot is being contested. Owens has come to the conclusion that “The voter’s ballot was entirely appropriate and should be counted. ”
Owens is asking those that received letters to contact his office regarding the matter. He says a simple affidavit from the voters whose ballots are being questioned should put the matter to rest.
By BRUCE A. FASOL
The Franklin County Board is set to meet in regular session Tuesday evening. The meeting begins at 6pm on the third floor of the Courthouse in Benton.
One of the items to be discussed, with possible action, concerns electric aggregation for unincorporated parts of the county. Some residents, in cities, will see their electric costs reportedly lowered as their government entities participate in pool buying programs.
The County Board will also discuss an intra-governemntal agreement that could allow Johnson County Schools to join in with the Franklin-Williamson Regional Office of Education services region.
The Board will also consider travel requests and employment vacancies.
The meeting is open to the public.
