Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
STAFF REPORT
Modern Woodmen of America Junior Club 2966-1 presented a matching fund check to Sesser Fire Fighters to purchase
Class A uniforms. The remaining balance needed to purchase uniforms was donated by Jason Ashmore, friend of the
Sesser Fire Department.
By Jim Muir
Michael Romani is now facing a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with a Sesser bar fight on Dec. 27 that left 56-year-old John Franklin dead.
Michael S. Romani
The additional charge against Romani – a Class 3 felony that carries a maximum sentence of 2-5 years in prison – was filed by Franklin County State’s Attorney Evan Owens on Dec. 31. Romani is also charged with aggravated battery, also a Class 3 felony.
Franklin died of trauma injuries to the head following an atercation with the 45-year-old Romani, also of Sesser. The fight took place at the Bank Lounge, located on Sesser’s business district. The bar has not reopened since the fatal fight.
Franklin was pronounced dead at Franklin Hospital after the fight and Romani turned himself into Franklin County authorities a short time later.
Romani remains in the Franklin County Jail in lieu of $200,000 bond.
Romani is scheduled for a first advisement hearing Wednesday that will be held from the jail via a satellite connection with the Franklin County Courthouse.
By BRUCE A. FASOL
All emergency sirens throughout Franklin County will be tested this morning at 10 a.m.
The sirens used to warn residents of dangerous weather and other emergency situations are tested on the first Tuesday of each month.
By BRUCE A. FASOL
Firefighters from five departments battled a weekend house fire in rural Franklin County. The call was to a home on Rend City Road, near Gulley Lane. Reports are that the home was heavily damaged.
According to authorities, it is reported that the occupants of the home were away at the time of the fire.
Cause of the fire is being determined. Water had to be brought to the scene and contained in a holding structure to be used by firefighters.
STAFF REPORT
As a third snow-making event enters our area in less than a week, the National Weather Service has Franklin County and much of Southern Illinois under a Winter Weather Advisory.
The advisory is in effect from noon Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday.
NWS meteorologists expect one to two inches of light snow this afternoon and overnight, but the periods of freezing rain that will likely accompany it are the bigger concern.
The precipitation has already started with light rain in some of Franklin County this morning. After midnight tonight, just as New Year’s Eve revelers have said hello to 2013 and are heading home, snow and sleet are expected to dominate.
You are advised to keep a close eye on weather conditions today; you may need to change holiday plans tonight based on road conditions and what is expected as the front moves through the area.
STAFF REPORT
Just when Franklin County residents have finished digging out of the snow from Wednesday night’s blizzard, the National Weather Service reports that more is on the way.
The NWS has issued a Winter Weather Advisory that includes Franklin County and runs from 3 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Saturday.
The front moving in should drop 1 to 3 inches of snow on the area, and some sleet is also possible.
In other words, stay in Friday night if you can, and dust off that shovel come Saturday morning.
By Jim Muir
A 59-year-old Sesser man is in Franklin County Jail facing a variety of charges including making bombs and other explosive devices and solicitation of a child.
Norman Dwayne Risley was taken into custody on December 21 and is facing four felony charges that first originated following an investigation by Sesser police.
According to information filed in Franklin County Circuit Court on Thursday, Risley is charged with 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.
Sesser police say they were working on a tip and were investigating the allegations involving the minor child when they gained entry through a search warrant to Risley’s residence and uncovered the cache of explosives that included 11 separate explosive devices (pipe bombs) and 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.”
Risley is being held on $750,000 bond.
As the sun rises on Franklin County this morning, roads are piled with several inches of snow, and driving conditions are extremely dangerous. Officials are urging all residents to stay home.
STAFF REPORT
National Weather Service meteorologists continue to forecast snowfall for Franklin County through around noon today, Dec. 26, and say wind gusts could keep the snow on the move and affecting visibility through late afternoon.
Trained NWS weather spotters are reporting snowfall totals between 4 and 7 inches in Southern Illinois, as of 6 a.m. A total of 6 to 12 inches is expected in Franklin County. Officials say the snowfall will be difficult to measure because it is blowing and drifting. Wind gusts are measuring 30 to 40 miles per hour.
This is making travel extremely dangerous. While roads may not be extremely slick at this point, visibility is very low, and it can be difficult to even find the roads.
Road crews are out working, but say it will be impossible to keep roadways safe until the snow and winds have died down.
Officials are urging people to stay home. Schools are closed for the Christmas break, and all county offices and the courthouse are closed, as well as local healthcare centers. FranklinCounty-News.com is receiving reports that many other businesses will be closed today, including many private medical offices. If you have appointments today, you are advised to call first to see if the business is planning to open before leaving home.
Officials also remind you that calls to 911 should be reserved for emergency situations only. Do not call 911 to try to get updates on road conditions or closures.
FranklinCounty-News.com has a continuously updated list of weather-related closures at this link.
For road condition information, check the Getting Around Illinois Web site, or call 1-800-452-4368.
Cold wind gusts can also be damaging to skin and increase frostbite threat. If you must venture outside, you should ensure that your face and hands are covered, leaving no exposed skin. While children may be itching to get outside this morning, it is best to keep them in until the storm has passed and the winds have subsided. The good news for the kiddos, though, is that the snow won’t be going anywhere, and it’s heavy and wet — just right for making an epic snowman when it’s safe to do so.
By Jim Muir
Mother Nature is playing havoc with post-Christmas work schedules and holiday tournament basketball action.
Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones has closed all county offices due to the blizzard conditions that are expected to roar through Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri late Tuesday night through midday Wednesday. This area is expected to receive 6-12 inches of snow. Gusting winds in excess of 45 miles per hour will make travel hazardous. This marks only the second time in nearly three decades that weather has forced all county offices to close.
The Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament will also be pushed back one day with Wednesday’s schedule being played on Thursday, according to Sesser-Valier High School athletic director Chip Basso. The tournament was scheduled to run December 26, 27, 28 and 29 but with the weather-related cancellation the final day of games will be pushed back to Monday, December, 31.
Updated 1:20 p.m. – The Eldorado Holiday Tournament schedule has also been pushed back one day. Thursday’s schedule will be played on Friday. The tournament will now run Friday, Saturday and Monday. The West Frankfort Redbirds will play at 11:30 a.m. Friday.
Anybody needing information about road conditions can go to this link.
Also, the Sesser-Valier cheer clinic scheduled for Wednesday morning and the performances on Wednesday and Thursday nights have been postponed until the week of January 7-11, 2013.
NEW – UPDATED AT 6:45 a.m.
The city of Marion has issued and advisory that all offices except emergency departments will be closed Dec. 26. Additionally, Miner’s Memorial Health Center & West Frankfort Family Medicine and Logan Primary Care in Herrin are also closed
Here’s an updated (6 a.m.) list of closings via WSIL TV.
ALEXANDER COUNTY
Delta Center, Cairo — Closed
FRANKLIN COUNTY
Franklin County Courthouse and County Offices — Closed
Special Minds Services, West Frankfort — Closed
South Central Transit — Closed
Franklin-Williamson BiCounty Health Department — All offices closed
Franklin County Housing
Authority will be closed Wednesday. Residents with emergencies may call our emergency line 932-2125.
HAMILTON COUNTY
Hamilton County Schools Daycare Center — Closed
JACKSON COUNTY
Center for Wound Healing at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital — Closed
Com-Pac International — First Shift don’t come in Wednesday
CVP Rehab at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, Murphysboro — Closed
Senior Adult Services — Closed
Jackson County Mass Transit — All routes cancelled
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Jefferson County Comprehensive Services — Closed
PERRY COUNTY
South Central Transit (SCP) — All routes cancelled
SALINE COUNTY
Eygptian Health Department (Saline,Gallatin, White Counties) — Closed
UNION COUNTY
Dongola School District office — Opens at Noon
Anna Heights Early Learning Center — Closed
WILLIAMSON COUNTY
Franklin-Williamson BiCounty Health Department — All offices closed
Center for Wound Healing at Herrin Hospital — Closed
Marion VA Outpatient Clinics — Closed
(The main Marion VA Hospital campus will remain open.)
Williamson County Programs on Aging — Closed, Employees not required to come in
AREA-WIDE CLOSURES
H-Group — Essential Staff Only
SMART Transportation is not running
Closings at Southern Illinois Healthcare facilities:
The Centers for Wound Healing at
Herrin Hospital and at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro are
closed Wednesday, December 26 due to the threat of hazardous weather.
Also cancelled for tomorrow: CVP Rehab at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in
Murphysboro.
Look for other closings on franklincounty-news.com. Anybody that would like to report a cancellation or change of schedule please contact us by email at jmuir@frontier.com or by text at 618-525-4744.
The staff of Franklin County News Online (franklincounty-news.com) would like to take this opportunity to wish our faithful readers a blessed and happy Christmas. May God bless you as we pause to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
