View of St. Route 149 going east to west. Growing up in Thompsonville, I more than realize the danger of this intersection. I am glad some reconstruction will be done to it. -sd (Google Maps image)
MVTHS reverses decision on Creel
February 22, 2017 By Leave a Comment
The Centralia student section in last Friday night’s game against Mt. Vernon, wearing shirts in support of MVTHS coach and AD, Doug Creel (Randy Olson photo)
Town Hall Meetings planned to discuss proposed penny sales tax increase
February 21, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Franklin County Board press release
Franklin County voters have the opportunity to take control of the future of their court house by voting for the proposed penny tax on April 4. The county’s current facility has outlived its usefulness, posing numerous maintenance challenges and safety risks to the public, employees, and crime victims who must attend court daily.
Funds are needed to build a new facility. The Franklin County Board has identified a couple of potential sites for the facility, which would be built to new state requirements for a court house. The best way to fund this construction is through a penny sales tax, which would not be charged on the necessities of food and medicine, but would add $1 to a $100 purchase of goods bought by those with discretionary income. The sales tax would be paid by visitors to our county, spreading out the cost of our new court house — leveraging the power of the penny.
A series of Town Hall Meetings has been planned to answer your questions about the proposal. County officials will be on hand at the following dates and times:
CHRISTOPHER: 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 22 at the Christopher Civic Center
SESSER: 6 p.m. Thursday, March 2 at the Goode Township Building
BENTON: 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 7 at the Benton Civic Center
ROYALTON: 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 8 at the Royalton Village Hall
WEST FRANKFORT: 6 p.m. Thursday, March 9 at the Aquatics and Activities Center
ZEIGLER: 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 14 at the Six Mile Township Building
Train derailment causes road problems in Franklin County
February 17, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Closings and cancellations 1/13/17
January 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment
I will use media sources to get every closing from I -64 south, since people go to this website all over Southern Illinois. Please contact me with any closings by the following ways:
You can call or text me at 513-2516, call at 937-0253; PM me on Facebook (Steve Dunford), email me at sdunford1970@hotmail.com.
It will be nearly impossible to reply to individual requests if a school or business is closed. I will update frequently with times.
Updated 6:30 am 1/13/17
I will lump all closings categorized by county. Any type will be under the county listed.
SCHOOLS-The only schools that I do not have in Southern Illinois are the following: Century, The only Johnson County School I have is Lick Creek, Hardin County and Pope County.
COLLEGES- The only ones I have not heard anything about is Shawnee Community College and SIU, which never calls off. The key staff needs to report at Morthland COllege.
I am going to go to sporting events/business mode now.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
Murphysboro at Benton Boys HS basketball/no make up date as of yet
Kids R My Business Day Care, Christopher
Girls Junior High Class L regional Benton/DuQuoin
JEFFERSON COUNTY
PERRY COUNTY
UNION COUNTY
WASHINGTON COUNTY
TFBC Clothing Room experiences two forced entries/thefts over the last few days
January 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment
by Steve Dunford
THOMPSONVILLE- Twice over the last few days, the clothing room of the Thompsonville First Baptist Church has been vandalized, broken into, and thefts have occurred.
The clothing room is located just west of the village limits on State Hwy. 149. The church has a baseball/softball field there, as well as a pavilion. There have been several instances of vandalism over the last several months on the property.
Yesterday, the forced entry happened during broad day light. Here is the vehicle in suspicion, from the surveillance cameras yesterday.
On December 30th security video caught the suspects on camera. Click on the link for the video.
https://www.facebook.com/natalie.s.dixon/videos/1515382631808652/
If you have any information on this case, please call the Franklin County Sheriff’s office at 438-8211.
EDITORIAL NOTE: This is a ministry that is trying to express Christ’s love to people by giving them FREE clothing and items. It perplexes me why someone would want to steal them. I just have a tough time understanding the mindset of individuals who would take items when all they have to do is ask. According to ministry coordinator, Natalie Dixon, “They leave a lot of work afterwards from the mess they leave behind.”
Law enforcement agencies put out APB
December 24, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Franklin County Sheriff’s office has reported there is an erratic driver on Route 14 at the Franklin-Hamilton county line. They sent out an APB to the State Police and all local authorities.
Mug shot of this man
He is a jolly fat man in a sleigh with eight tiny reindeer. He is weaving rooftop to rooftop and going down chimneys with homes that have them. He is carrying a bag that is suspected to be full of toys for children.
Direction of travel is unknown. He is suspected to either head to Ewing and Whittington, maybe head to Benton, or go down North Thompsonville road and hit Akin and T’ville next.
It is guaranteed that he will hit all houses in West Frankfort, Logan, Zeigler, Freeman Spur, Orient, Pulmfield, Royalton, Cleburne, Mulkeytown, Christopher, Coello, Valier, Sesser, Buckner, West City and all rural areas in between.
He prefers milk and cookies at every stop. He will visit every house in the county.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Road conditions deteriorating across the county
December 17, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The Franklin County Emergency Management Agency issued the following statement: Road conditions will continue to deteriorate through late tonight. Motor vehicle accidents have been reported. Travel only when necessary.
Mt. Zion Church performing “A Savior is Born”
December 17, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The Mt. Zion Free Will Baptist Church will be performing the play. “A Savior is Born” tonight at their annual Christmas play and program 
at 6:30 P.M.
From attending previous programs in the past, it is your old school, traditional, Christmas program that country churches frequently had in years gone by.
There will be soup, supper, snacks and most of all a time of fellowship after the service.
The church is located on South Thompsonville Road, 2 1/2 miles south of Thompsonville. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
Winter weather update with cancellations
December 17, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Updated at 5:30 pm
SPORTING EVENTS CANCELLED
HS BOYS BASKETBALL
Flora at CHRISTOPHER rescheduled for Thursday, 12/22
Nashville at BENTON no make up date yet.
THOMPSONVILLE at Elverado no make up date yet
WEST FRANKFORT at Goreville rescheduled for Thursday, 12/22
Sparta at Murphysboro no make up date yet.
Herrin at Pinckneyville no make up date yet.
Hamilton County at Eldorado rescheduled for Thursday 12/22
DuQuoin at Harrisburg no make up date yet.
WARMING CENTERS
City Hall-Sesser…
CHURCH SERVICES
East Side Baptist Church-Mt Vernon No Sunday Services
The forecast has not changed. Franklincounty-news.com will keep this page updated with cancellations and changing weather conditions.
