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.
Additional snow and ice could make roads slick for revelers
December 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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.
West Frankfort finishes fiscal year with surplus
December 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By BRUCE A. FASOL
In the same manner that most of us want our household to end up at the end of every pay period, the City of West Frankfort finished the fiscal year with more money coming in the door than went out.
An audit report accepted by the West Frankfort City Council at its Thursday night meeting showed a surplus of $139,000, according to Fiance Commissioner Mike Simpson.
Mayor Tom Jordan called the audit “pretty good,” but said he wished it could have been better. He noted a decision to change worker’s compensation providers in 2012 had resulted in savings to the city, and that the city would continue to look for ways to cut expenditures.
One area of concern mentioned was a loss of $7,800 in the water/sewer department. Jordan said the council may need to look at a rate increase in 2013.
In other action, the West Frankfort City Council:
- Reported that the city will begin the process of buying energy under electric aggregation on Friday morning, when supplier responses are due to Select Energy, the company West Frankfort is using as the energy broker. These responses will be studied by the company before the next phase of the project, according to Mayor Jordan.
- Approved a bid to Randy Pearce Construction for a handicap ramp at the Veteran’s Memorial and Museum. Pearce Consruction was the low bidder. The 5-foot wide by 60-foot long ramp will allow handicapped persons access to the Museum located next to the railroad tracks.Approved paying routine bills of $372,532.55 for the month. This included payment for liability/workman comp insurance premium of $ 202,000.
- Voted on a provisional approval to transfer the liquor license from the current owners of Tom’s Mad Pricer to the new owners, pending sale believed to be completed in January.
- Approved final payments for the Mainline Road project.
- Approved a payment of $3,935 to Grimm Auto Repair for brake work on a fire department vehicle.
In commissioner reports, both Street Commissioner Tara Fasol-Chambers and Finance Commissioner Simpson praised work done by Street Department crews to clear city streets following this week’s blizzard. Fasol-Chambers said that they were hampered by having two members of their five member crew off work.
Finally, an end-of-the-year problem will necessitate a special council meeting on Monday, Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. Local tavern owners have requested a 2 a.m. closing on Monday night for New Year’s Eve. However, the request was not made in time to get the item on the agenda for Thursday’s meeting. The Council will take up both New Year’s Eve bar hours and Super Bowl Sunday bar hours at the meeting on Monday.
More snow on the way: Weather advisory issued
December 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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.
Community group formed to support Candy Cane Lane
December 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By LEIGH M. CALDWELL
Following a fire at Candy Cane Lane founder Tim Murphy’s property Thursday morning that authorities are calling suspicious, a group of West Frankfort residents has formed to support Murphy and the famous Christmas display.
The cause of the fire, which burned a storage shed owned by Murphy, is still unknown. The building was used to house Candy Cane Lane displays as well as personal items owned by Murphy. Most display items were still out for the season, and were not damaged by the fire.
But numerous incidences of vandalism and theft have been reported at Candy Cane Lane this year, the most recent being on Christmas Eve, when vandals sliced holes in Murphy’s blow-up display items. They had been put in the shed to be repaired for next year and were burned up in the fire.
A small group of residents, including former and current Frankfort Community High School art students taught by Murphy, gathered at Candy Cane Lane Thursday night to collect donations, and then met at the West Frankfort McDonald’s to discuss how best to help.
“First and foremost, we have to make him (Murphy) feel like people are behind him and supporting him,” organizer Kerri Melvin said.
Group members said they want to raise enough money to make Candy Cane Lane more secure from vandals and thieves next year, possibly by installing camera surveillance, a fence behind Murphy’s property and/or hiring a security guard for the season.
The new group, which is being called “Friends of Candy Cane Lane,” collected $821 on Thursday night, from people driving through the neighborhood to show support.
They plan to set up an account at First Bank and begin accepting donations there after 1 p.m. today.
Update 12:55 p.m. 12/28/2012: The group has set up the account at Southern Illinois Bank. Donations can be sent to the Friends of Candy Cane Lane c/o Southern Illinois Bank, P.O. Box 128, West Frankfort, IL 62896.
The group discussed a number of fundraising ideas to be held throughout the year. Tentative plans call for an initial event in January that would feature a slate of bands and be called “Murph’s Winter Jam.” The group is searching for an appropriate venue for that event.
Other tentative events discussed for the year include a family-oriented mostaccioli dinner with a silent auction, and a poker run.
The group is looking for more volunteers and fundraising ideas. A second meeting is tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 4 at La Fiesta restaurant in West Frankfort.
A Facebook page has been set up here to disseminate information, and you can e-mail friendsofcandycanelane@spielon.com for more information.
West Frankfort residents escape Thursday afternoon fire
December 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
West Frankfort firefighters work to extinguish a blaze at 707 S. Sunnyslope in West Frankfort.
By BRUCE A. FASOL
A pair of West Frankfort residents were able to safely escape an early afternoon fire at their home, 707 S. Sunnyslope in West Frankfort. Witnesses tell FranklinCounty-News.com that when the fire broke out, the older couple were trying to save valuables in the home, when a passerby helped lead them to safety.
Fire crews are still on the scene of the blaze, with firefighters from Benton and Johnston City there on the scene and in mutual aid.
This is the second structure fire for West Frankfort firefighters today, after a fire at daybreak destroyed a storage building owned by Tim Murphy, at the heart of the Candy Cane Lane Christmas display. That building is a total loss, and the cause of the fire has not bee determined..
West Frankfort City Council to discuss ramp at memorial
December 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By LEIGH M. CALDWELL
A ramp to make the Veterans Memorial more accessible to the disabled is among the items up for discussion at the next West Frankfort City Council meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 27 at City Hall.
Commissioners will discuss a bid to install the ramp and consider action on it.
This meeting — the last regular meeting of the year — is being held on Thursday because the regular day for the meeting would have been Christmas Day.
Other items on the agenda include:
- Consideration of a resolution allowing the mayor to sign a contract buying power under the electric aggregation contract, rather than requiring action of the council to enter into the agreement. Other area cities have approved similar resolutions so that when bids are received, action can be taken quickly. (Still confused about electric aggregation? Check out this link: How electric aggregation really works)
- Consideration of a request from Ameren to allow an easement on the Redbird Tank Property.
- Possible approval of a liquor license for Schmutz Family Holdings, the new owners of Tom’s Mad Pricer supermarket.
Candy Cane Lane storage building a total loss in early morning fire
December 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
West Frankfort fire fighters look for hot spots after an early morning fire consumed a storage building at Candy Cane Lane.
By BRUCE A. FASOL
West Frankfort firefighters were called to a storage building fire early Thursday morning on Candy Cane Lane. The building was owned by the extensive Christmas display’s founder Tim Murphy. It was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived, and was a total loss.
Murphy told FranklinCounty-News.com that among the items destroyed in the blaze was his own personal scooter, and his late fathers truck, which he kept in the building. Numerous other items also were kept inside.
“Normally my own truck would have been inside, but not last night,” he said.
And the building served as a storage area for the hundreds of Christmas display items now out in Murphy’s yard for the holiday season.
The West Frankfort Fire Department responded with numerous apparatus including the rig which allowed them to shoot water down on the pole barn structure. The aerial ladder provided that capability and other units were there in support, along with the WFFD ambulance.
All that remained of the building was rubble, which firefighters continued to probe in the eight o’clock hour for hot spots.
The cause of the fire is not know at this early stage, but remains under investigation.
Murphy himself seems convinced of the cause.
“Someone set it,” he immediately replied when asked. There was also a previous fire in the same building a few months prior to this morning’s fire.
Candy Cane Lane, which grew out of Murphy’s elaborate home displays decades ago into a multi-block drive-through affair that draws thousands each Christmas season, has been the scene of numerous acts of vandalism this year. The wooden displays have been spray-painted and moved, and display items and floodlights have been stolen.
FranklinCounty-News.com will continue to follow this story and update as the fire’s cause is investigated.
Blowing snow to continue into afternoon; Officials urge residents to stay home
December 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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.
Weather-related closings 12-26-12
December 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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.
