Candy Cane Lane opens in West Frankfort

December 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By BRUCE A. FASOL
One of Southern Illinois’ premier tourist attractions is now open in West Frankfort. Candy Cane Lane has opened for their seasonal run, according to founder Tim Murphy. Candy Cane Lane is a multi-block extravaganza that highlights lighted displays from popular movies, cartoons and more. Many times there will also be Santa, choirs, bell choirs and other seasonal entertainment.
Saturday was the first day that the lighted displays had been illuminated. Marilyn Murphy tells franklincounty-news.com that the first night saw a steady stream of traffic. That is expected to increase as Christmas quickly approaches. It is not uncommon to see special traffic control measures be put into place as traffic is backed up down Main Street where tourists enter the area.
As usual, there is no admission charged to drive through the displays. and, this year there sill also be a canned food collection taking place, on Candy Cane Lane. You are asked to bring a canned good or non-perishable food item when you drive through. There is a special basket for just that purpose.
Candy Cane Lane opens weeknights at dusk, and runs until 10pm. On weekends, the lights stay on until 11pm.
Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, West Frankfort News Tagged With: , , , ,

Local woman sentenced to five years for theft

November 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By BRUCE A. FASOL

In Franklin County court Thursday, 42-year-old Tiffanie Crabtree was sentenced to five years in prison for theft over $500.

Crabtree was convicted of taking the purse of a woman working at Days Inn Motel in West City. Earlier this year, Crabtree, according to the victim, came into the business to drop off a resume for employment. When the woman turned away to deliver the paper, Crabtree jumped the counter and took the purse of the victim. In that purse were electronics, money, credit cards and irreplaceable pictures. None of the items have ever been located.

Police started investigation of this case with a valuable clue: The resume that Crabtree dropped off before she stole the purse did indeed contain her correct address. She was arrested and charged with theft over $500. A $550 assessment was also made on Crabtree. That money is owed to the West Frankfort woman she robbed. However, the victim was told by the States Attorney’s office that she was one of several that Crabtree owed restitution to due to past convictions.

Filed Under: Benton News, Franklin Co. News, More Featured Articles, West Frankfort News Tagged With: , , , , ,

W.F. Police announce arrest in firearm theft

November 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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by BRUCE A. FASOL

West Frankfort Police Chief Jeff Tharp has announced an arrest in the recent burglary of a West Frankfort home. No date was identified when three guns were found missing from a home in the 100 block of West Sixth Street. Chief Tharp said the victim could not pinpoint when the guns were stolen.

The guns stolen were: a .22 long rifle, with a Bushnell scope, a Colt commander .45 caliber pistol, stainless steel and a 100th Anniversary edition, and also taken was a Heritage Roughrider .22 caliber pistol.

On Nov. 14, West Frankfort Police saw the investigation lead to Fairfield. A Fairfield resident told police there that he had purchased one of the firearms but did not know it was stolen. A similar story then emerged with a Thompsonville man saying he bought a gun, not knowing it was taken in a burglary.

West Frankfort Police developed a suspect in the case, and arrested 22-year-old Justin M. Murphy at a home on North Illinois Avenue in West Frankfort.

According to Chief Tharp, Murphy has admitted to investigators he entered the home of an acquaintance and took the weapons.

Murphy has been charged with residential burglary and the theft of the firearms.

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Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, West Frankfort News Tagged With: , , , , ,

WF City Council to discuss next step in electric aggregation process

November 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By BRUCE A. FASOL

A regular meeting of the West Frankfort City Council is slated for tonight at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 201 E. Nolen St. One of the items listed in the agenda is the next step in the city’s electric aggregation process: Commissioners will consider approval of an agreement with the city of Marion to pool their households and buy energy under the same contract.

West Frankfort voters approved an electric aggregation referendum earlier this month, which allows the city to buy power in bulk on the futures market for residents, a move that can save households 20 to 25 percent on the purchased power rate on their electric bills.

Both Marion and West Frankfort have contracted with Select Energy to facilitate the electric aggregation process, and the company has recommended the two cities buy under one contract, as more households can add up to greater savings.

West Frankfort residents will be given the opportunity to “opt out” of electric aggregation and continue to buy their electricity from Ameren before the program begins.

The Council is also expected to approve a $35,000 loan to Morthland College. This had been discussed at a previous council meeting, but tabled. There had been concern that the city would not be able to grant the loan to the private college.
A third major item on the agenda is the next step in renovating the now cleared site of UMWA Hospital, on West St. Louis Street. The site, being purchased by the city, will be offered to developers. At tonight’s meeting, the Council is expected to approve a $2,500 expenditure to begin Phase One of the environmental site assessment.
A new tenant is expected to be approved for the Business Incubator, Street Department grievances will be discussed, and routine business is also expected to come before the council tonight. As always, the meeting is open to the public.
Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, More Featured Articles, West Frankfort News Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Railroad to fix rough crossings in W.F.

November 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By BRUCE A. FASOL

Repair crews will begin patching rough areas on the railroad crossings at Cleveland and St. Louis streets within the next two weeks, according to West Frankfort City Commissioner Tara Fasol-Chambers.

After fielding calls from local residents complaining about the tracks and potential damage to vehicles, Fasol-Chambers met with Union Pacific Railroad officials, who conducted an inspection of the railroad crossings in the city. The railroad company is responsible for maintenance of the tracks, not the city.

Although the concrete areas surrounding the tracks are periodically inspected, repaired and replaced, Southern Illinois weather is not conducive to their long-term condition. The cycles of freezing, thawing, heat and moisture cause areas to weaken and crumble under normal traffic patterns.

Following the inspection, commissioner Chambers announced that repair crews would be patching the affected areas in the next week or two. The patching should be enough to keep the crossings intact throughout the winter. Next spring, additional reconstruction work will be done on a larger scale.

The crossings at Cleveland and St. Louis streets will be blocked on a short-term basis during the work when necessary.

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, West Frankfort News Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Lighted parade enchants hundreds in West Frankfort

November 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
by BRUCE A. FASOL
Crowds rivaling those of the Old King Coal Festival packed downtwon West Frankfort on Tuesday night for the annual Fantasy of Lights Parade. Warmer temperatures brought out the huge crowd to watch one of the best lighted parades in the town’s history.
West Frankfort begins the area’s illuminated parade season, with other cities such as Herrin, and notably Carbondale, following.
Long time parade watchers say that Tuesday’s line-up was as long and colorful as it ever had been. Veteran marchers like the FCHS band joined newcomers and favorites in the half-hour march of units – and individuals – all creatively lit.
The Main Man of the Season himself rode high above the parade. Santa Claus made his grand entrance atop a West Frankfort Fire Dept. engine. One young lady who had been appreciative of the floats gushed, “Santa, I love you!” as he passed by. And, organizers will tell you that this is the reason they do it each year.
Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, West Frankfort News Tagged With: , , , , ,

Warriors down Loggers on home hardwood, improve to 5-0

November 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

INA, Ill. – The Rend Lake College Warriors are 5-0 overall and 2-0 against Region XXIV opponents after beating the Lincoln Land Community College Loggers, 47-36, Tuesday night at home.

Neither team found the bottom of the net very often in the first half. RLC was up 16-12 going into the locker room and came out to score 31 of its 47 in the second half. The Loggers added 24 second-half points.

Rend Lake College guard Dawson Verhines (Woodlawn) drives to the basket in the Warriors’ 47-36 win over the Lincoln Land Community College Loggers, Tuesady night, at Waugh Gym in Ina. Also pictured for RLC is Noel Allen (Guttenburg, N.J.).

The Warriors had control most of the game, but did allow the Loggers to climb back to within nine or 10 with less than five minutes to play. RLC did well shooting at the foul line, hitting five of six free throws down the stretch. Overall, the Warriors were 15-22 from the charity stripe – 63 percent. Surprisingly, the Loggers did not shoot a single free throw in this matchup. RLC committed only three first-half fould and five in the second half.

The inside game looked to be Coach Randy House’s focus for RLC in this one. The Warriors didn’t hit a single shot from long range and were led in scoring by 5-7 point guard Trice Whaley (Jeffersonville, Ind.), who had 10 points. The Loggers made two three pointers late in the game – one by Marcus Graham and the other by Reed Willenborg, who finished with seven and five points, respectively.

RLC showed off its depth with eight players arriving in the scoring column against Lincoln Land. Noel Allen (Guttenburg, N.J.) and Dawson Verhines (Woodlawn) had eight each, and Stephon Bryant and Cortez Macklin, both of Louisville, pitched in seven apiece with Macklin going 5-6 from the free throw line. Montez Buford (Louisville) had three while big men Bronson Verhines (Woodlawn) and Montez Williams (East St. Louis) each pitched in a bucket.

Rend Lake will return from the holiday break to open league play with Great Rivers Athletic Conference opponent Lake Land College at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 28, in Mattoon. The Warriors will head to Millikin University on Nov. 30 to play its junior varsity squad. The next home game is Saturday, Dec. 1, against conference foe Lincoln Trail. Tip-off for that game is set for 3 p.m.

For all things athletic at The Lake, visit RLC online at www.rlc.edu/warriors.

BOX SCORE

Men’s College Basketball
Lincoln Land Community College Loggers (LLCC)
at Rend Lake College (RLC)
11/20/2012
Waugh Gymnasium

LLCC 31 (12-24) – Graham 3 0-0 7, Wohltman 4 0-0 8, Lowe 1 0-0 2, Dean 3 0-0 6, Cunningham 4 0-0 8, Willenborg 2 0-0 5.

RLC 47 (16-31) – Whaley 3 4-4 10, Bryant 3 1-2 7, Allen 3 2-4 8, D. Verhines 3 2-4 8, Macklin 1 5-6 7, Buford 1 1-2 3, B. Verhines 1 0-0 2, Williams 1 0-0 2.

Free-throws – LLCC 0-0, RLC 15-22. 3-pointers – LLCC 2 (Graham, Willenborg), RLC 0. Fouls – LLCC 16, RLC 8. Technical fouls – none.

Filed Under: Benton News, Christopher News, Coello News, Franklin Co. News, High School Sports, Royalton News, Sesser News, Thompsonville News, Uncategorized, Valier News, West Frankfort News, Zeigler News

Fantasy of Lights parade Tuesday night in West Frankfort

November 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The 20th Annual Fantasy of Lights parade will be Tuesday, Nov. 20, at 6:30 p.m. in Downtown West Frankfort.

The parade begins at St. John’s Catholic Church and School and heads west down Main Street to the railroad tracks. It features lighted floats, carolers and the big guy, Santa Claus.

After the parade, pictures with Santa will be available in the 100 block of East Main Street.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, Living, More Featured Articles, Special Events, West Frankfort News Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Questions answered at W.F. electric aggregation hearing

November 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By BRUCE A. FASOL

On Monday, a handful of residents attended the first of two informational meetings on electric aggregation at West Frankfort City Hall. The meeting was led by Anna M. Baluyot,  managing partner of Select Energy, of Chicago.

Baluyot reported that on Election Day, 95 percent of the electric aggregation ballot questions were approved by voters across Illinois. West Frankfort was one of the those communities approving the question. This means that the city will work with Select Energy to buy the lowest kilowatt hour rate available on the energy market for the residents of West Frankfort.
In many cases, it was said, these savings could be as much as 20 percent off the rates currently being paid to purchase power by electric customers. Ameren will continue to provide basic infrastrucure in the city, and customers will continue to pay Ameren for the delivery of their electricity.
West Frankfort Mayor Tom Jordan reported that one of his prime concerns was how current provider Ameren felt about aggregation. Jordan pointed out that the city has a 30-year contract with Ameren Illinois.
“I was concerned about hurting Ameren,” said Jordan. But, once he ascertained that the plan was not hurtful to Ameren efforts, Jordan said he began supporting the possible lower rates for local residents. Now, said the mayor, “The only people against it are the small door-to-door individual power salespersons.”
Baluyot answered questions that have been frequently mentioned during multiple such meetings she has led, including:
  • No action will be needed to take advantage of the savings. You are included unless you choose to opt out. Eventually, residents will receive a letter explaining more about the program and how it may help residents. There will be a card included that you can fill out, to opt out of the program.
  • Ameren will still maintain the city’s electric infrastructure, power poles and lines into homes.
  • You will continue to get one electric bill, but with the savings included.
  • Power purchase will begin with this larger base of consumers in January.
  • The city will oversee the process, with Select Energy, to help insure the lowest possible rate for residents.
Currently, according to Baluyot, “Some 400 Illinois communities take part in this program.”
Another mandated public informational meeting will be held at West Frankfort City Hall at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20. The meeting is open to the public.
Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, West Frankfort News Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Old cell phones being collected to benefit soldiers

November 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

State Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion) is asking Franklin County residents to donate old cell phones through the end of this month.

The cell phones will go to Cell Phones for Soldiers, which sells them to a recycling company and uses the proceeds to buy phone cards for soldiers.

Drop off phones by Nov. 30 at the following West Frankfort Public Library, 402 E. Poplar St., or the Benton Public Library, 502 S. Main St.

Filed Under: Benton News, Christopher News, Coello News, Franklin Co. News, Living, More Featured Articles, Royalton News, Sesser News, Thompsonville News, Valier News, West Frankfort News, Zeigler News Tagged With: , ,
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