Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
A regular meeting of the West Frankfort City Council will be held Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at West Frankfort City Hall.
On the agenda: approval of payment of bills totaling nearly 145 thousand dollars, next steps in the electric aggregation process, officer reports, approval of a roofing repair at the Public Safety Building, and commissioner reports.
The meeting is open to the public.
By BRUCE A. FASOL
The first West Frankfort Chamber of Commerce meeting of 2013 will be held Wednesday at noon. The meeting will be at Triple E Steakhouse in the shopping plaza.
Jessica Rude will be installed as the new President of the Chamber. Other officers will also be sworn in at this same meeting. The retiring officers will be recognized for their service.
Business items on the agenda include the past year’s finances, and final plans for the Annual Dinner planned for Jan. 17.
Tickets remain for that annual dinner and are available at the Chamber of Commerce office at 101 Nolen Street in West Frankfort. The office is located in the Public Health and Safety Building.
Cost of the tickets are $30 per person. The annual banquet will be held in the Patton Banquet Room at the park’s Aquatics Center.
STAFF REPORT
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
Registration is now open for the next CERT training in Franklin County. It will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on five consecutive Wednesday nights beginning Feb. 6, 2013, at the Mulkeytown Grade School.
To register for this class, go to http://franklincountyema.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=80&Itemid=61
By BRUCE A. FASOL
Marion police have confirmed that a West Frankfort man was arrested on drug charges in Williamson County.
According to a list of recent arrestees from Chief John Eibeck’s office, 40-year-old Dennis Bowen was arrested Dec. 23rd.
Marion Kroger pharmacy employees are believed to have called Marion Police to report Bowen attempting to buy a methamphetamine precursor without a prescription. He was arrested and taken to the Williamson County Jail.
Eibeck told FranklinCounty-News.com that he is currently out of the city, and could provide no immediate details.
By BRUCE A. FASOL
West Frankfort Police Chief Jeff Tharp has announced that one arrest has been made in a theft from an industrial business, and authorities are seeking a second suspect.
Ronald Pulliam
The thefts were reported in mid-December from Coal Age Industrial, located in the Industrial Park, west of the West Frankfort. At that time, police began surveillance of the business, and video evidence was collected at the scene from security cameras.
On Jan. 3, West Frankfort Police arrested 24-year-old Ronald R. Pulliam of Johnston City. He was charged with theft over $500.
Steven Pulliam
Pulliam is accused of stealing large fabricated pieces of metal, which investigators believe he resold. Coal Age Industrial told investigators that since the thefts began, they have lost $30,000 in metal products.
Tharp said an arrest warrant has been issued for Steven Pulliam, 22, of Johnston City, as well. He is the brother of Ronald Pulliam Jr. More arrests could be forthcoming, according to WFPD.
STAFF REPORT
The 14-4 West Frankfort 8th grade girls basketball team will be celebrated with a ceremony Thursday before their home game against rival Benton. The games start at 5:30 p.m. at the Central Junior High School gymnasium.
Before the game, there will be a Fazoli’s spaghetti dinner in the school cafeteria.
The meal will be served from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and includes pasta with meat sauce, a small salad, a drink and two breadsticks. The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children.
Take-out meals will also be available.
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
Reservations for the annual West Frankfort Chamber of Commerce dinner are being taken now. The date for the dinner is set for Thursday, Jan. 17. The site for the 7 p.m. banquet is the L. Goebel Patton Banquet Room at the West Frankfort park Aquatics Center.
The dinner marks the calendar progress and success of the business community in West Frankfort. One of the highlights is the awarding of the Daily American Citizen of the Year award.
Tickets are $30 per person and may be obtained at the Chamber of Commerce office, 101 E. Nolen St.
The catered dinner will also feature music. Featured speaker for this year’s dinner is Brandon Sawalich.
