West Frankfort News Archives - Page 34 of 36 - Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News

Electric aggregation public hearings this week in West Frankfort

November 19, 2012 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

Public hearings are set for 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 19, and Tuesday, Nov. 20, at West Frankfort City Hall, regarding the electric aggregation process.

Earlier this month, West Frankfort voters approved a measure that allows city officials to seek out proposals on behalf of residents and businesses from electricity suppliers. The city has an agreement with Select Energy Partners to handle the process.

City officials have said they hope that electric aggregation will result in lower electricity rates for the city’s homes and businesses.

The city’s current electric utility, Ameren, would still control infrastructure – such as power poles and lines – and delivery of electricity, regardless of the supplier selected. Residents and businesses wishing to remain with Ameren would be able to opt out of the city’s electric aggregation contract.

Nick Hill, a representative of Select Energy, will outline the next steps in the electric aggregation process and facilitate the public hearings this week.

— Bruce A. Fasol

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, West Frankfort News Tagged With: ameren, electric aggregation, nick hill, select energy, select energy partners, west frankfort

West Frankfort official to meet with railroad about rough crossings

November 19, 2012 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

Rough railroad crossings have been a concern for drivers in West Frankfort for some time, and now a city commissioner says that while the matter hasn’t been resolved as quickly as she’d like, progress is finally being made.

“Efforts to have several of these crossings addressed for maintenance has gone on for a number of months now but I finally have a meeting set with representatives for Union Pacific and I’m confident getting them here to walk the tracks and talk about improvements is a good first step in the right direction,” Streets and Public Improvements Commissioner Tara Fasol-Chambers said. “Unfortunately, there isn’t much the city can do about railroad tracks. We can’t fix them and the railroad has easement on the actual roadway adjoining the tracks, as well. What we can do is ask and urge them to make needed fixes, and that’s what we have been doing.”

Fasol-Chambers said the meeting just before Thanksgiving Day should secure the necessary steps for getting the tracks fixed. She said she also hopes it is a step toward a better working relationship between the city and Union Pacific.

“This hasn’t been the ideal situation, by far, and I’d really like to create a better line of communication so that problems in the future can be handled in a more timely fashion,” she said. “We all learned a hard lesson a few years ago when efforts to have stop arms installed dragged out for more than a year and were only met after the death of one of our residents. That can never happen again. We must have the ability to contact them when needed and them to contact us when needed so that safety concerns are met quickly. We need the ability to be proactive about our approach to addressing those concerns. These are more than just ‘rough’ crossings as they have been labeled, in my opinion. They are a danger to motorists and that’s not acceptable.”

Fasol-Chambers said she is happy to see progress moving forward on efforts to have the tracks fixed and asks that residents continue to be patient and cautious in the meantime.

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, West Frankfort News Tagged With: railroad crossings, tara fasol-chambers, union pacific, west frankfort

Tom’s Turkey Tournament Trivia

November 16, 2012 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

By Tom Wheeler

The 38th Christopher Thanksgiving Tournament starts Monday and it sure brings back memories for this ol’ Coach. So I thought, since I’ve seen every tournament. Here is some trivia that you may or may not remember.

I’ll just ramble so try to stay with me.

Three teams have been in the tourney all 38 years: Christopher, Zeigler-Royalton and Webber Township … Galatia coached by Benton’s Don Smith won the inaugural tournament and two years later his brother Ron Smith won the tournament with Coulterville … Christopher defeated Coulterville in 84,85,and 86 in the Championship game, in 86 current Sparta athletic director Richie Williams was the Eagles coach, his starting point guard was Gary Gischer who later coached at Christopher, Williams also coached in the tournament at Elverado where he got so excited one night he ripped the seat out of his pants … the St. Louis Cardinals Corey Bailey played in the tournament with Crab Orchard before moving to Marion for his senior year … Rodney Seips of Egyptian also played minor league baseball … the biggest star to ever attend the tournament was tennis great Jennifer Capriati, who came to see Shane Boner play (she dated Shane’s brother in California) … Logan athletic director and baseball coach Jerry Halstead played in the first tournament with Carterville when he started as a freshman … Z-R’s Matt Swalls was MVP in 1981 and teammate Sean Connor in 1983, Matts group won the tournament but Sean was the first player to win from a team that wasn’t champions (they finished fourth) … their best tourney team may have been in 1982 but the Tornadoes were busy winning the IHSA Class A state championship in football in Bloomington as all five basketball starters played football … Bruce Weber, coach at Kansas State, came to the tourney to scout Egyptian’s Dana Ford when he was at SIU … Current CCHS freshman coach Rick Cook was 12-0 as varsity coach in his four tournaments … my wife Lynda sure loves Turkey week as there are NO suppers prepared that week, I’m usually found in the great hospitality room along with many ‘regulars’ … CCHS revealed a beautiful new portable floor for the 77-78 season but this year’s floor won’t take a back door to that one …

Looking back I can’t believe how many of my ex-teammates coached in the tournament like John Kretz, Rick Cook,(fast pitch) Ed Belva,Steve Strickland, Wendell Wheeler, Russ Hobbs, Mike Henson, Wes Choate, Nick Laur(slow pitch) Cliff Davis, Ken Dillingham, (McKendree basketball) Roger Yates (Coal Belt baseball) and Don Gines (McLeansboro Jr. High basketball) … Mt. Vernon legend Doug Creel coached in the tournament at Thompsonville and his best player was current West Frankfort Lady Red Birds coach Matt Hampelman … ZR’S superintendent George Wilkerson played in the tournament as did CCHS’s super Rich Towers (MVP in 86) … Varsity coaches who played in the tournament include CCHS coaches Eric Stallman, Jeff Minor, Jeff Gossett, and Gary Gischer, ZR’S Quinn Laird, Matt Morgan, Jamie Moyers and Brent Kreid, Thompsonville’s Brandon Chapman and Brock Harris … now it’s time for more trivia from the 2012 tournament and with six members of the all-tournament team returning, including 2011 MVP Devantae Price of defending champion Egyptian, it should bring more great basketball to kick off the 2012-23 season.

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

No Christmas decoration work detail needed this weekend in W.F.

November 16, 2012 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

The West Frankfort Chamber of Commerce’s elves will not be needed this year, the Chamber has announced.

The annual Saturday morning work detail to hang Christmas decorations in the city’s downtown area has been cancelled because West Frankfort Street Department crews have been doing the work this week.

Volunteer workers had been scheduled to report at 5 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, but do not need to do so.

City crews will be able to complete the work before Tuesday’s 19th annual Fantasy of Lights parade, West Frankfort Mayor Tom Jordan said.

— Bruce A. Fasol

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, More Featured Articles, West Frankfort News Tagged With: chamber of commerce, christmas decorations, fantasy of lights, volunteers, west frankfort

WF Chamber hears about local recycling program’s success

November 15, 2012 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

What was called a “well-hidden secret” was described in detail at the Wednesday meeting of the West Frankfort Chamber of Commerce. The monthly speaker was Paul Ford of The H Group, who told local business leaders about the behavioral health service providers’ growing recycling program.

Ford explained that the recycling program started because The H Group had equipment, such as a baler, needed to help the City of West Frankfort with a citywide clean-up program. The clean-up effort spawned the idea of providing a place for residents and businesses in the area to drop off recyclables – something that can now be done at the recycling center, located behind the The H Group’s building at 902 W. Main St. in West Frankfort.

In addition to paper, plastic, cardboard and aluminum of all types, the recycling program has grown to accept electronics such as old televisions, radios and DVD players. Ford said the electronics are then taken to a Carbondale recycling program. “We won’t make money off of this, but we accept electronics as a community service,” Ford said.

The H Group’s local recycling program has also become the region’s recycling center for CDs and DVDs, which are shipped to West Frankfort from 17 different states for processing. Each part of a CD, from the paper liner to the plastic case to the CD itself is recyclable, Ford said.

The speaker was especially compelling when he described the recycling program’s ultimate purpose – to provide jobs for the developmentally disabled, who sort the recyclable items. “They have been told so many times in their life what they could not do,” Ford said. “We show them what they can do.”

The H Group also offers shredding services through its recycling program. Items to be shredded can be brought to the center, or confidential shredding can be done on-site for businesses. “This especially appeals to banks and lawyers, for example,” Ford said.

A $100,000 grant recently allowed The H Group to purchase a box truck for delivering and picking up bins to collect recyclables in other locations. With that came a full time job created for a driver. Other growth to come in the near future includes a larger shredder, expansion of collections made now in various Franklin County communities and expansion to other cities. “We are crawling now, in our early stages,” said Ford.

The Chamber’s monthly program was preceded by a short business session, which included approval of new directors for the Chamber Board and the slate of officers for 2013. Jessica Rude of Shelter Insurance will assume the mantle of Chamber President in January at the annual meeting.

— Bruce A. Fasol

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, West Frankfort News Tagged With: chamber, chamber of commerce, H Group, jessica rude, paul ford, recycline, recycling, recycling center, The H Group, west frankfort

Demolition underway at UMWA hospital

November 14, 2012 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

The original wooden structure that served as the first United Mine Workers of America Hospital in West Frankfort is quickly coming down. Construction crews are demolishing the aged original section of the hospital.

In the years following the use of that portion of the building a modern wing- the “John Bowen Wing” – was built to update the facility. The entire campus was closed by Southern Illinois Healthcare more than a decade ago.

The newer portion of the hospital was demolished a year ago, leaving a large vacant lot. Demolition of the final, oldest portion of the hospital will clear the land for development.

The city of West Frankfort approved a payment to acquire the land as to more closely manage the potential sale to a private concern. Mayor Tom Jordan has offered an opinion that he would like to see the land eventually host medical concerns to maximize its proximity to nearby doctor offices and two pharmacies.

— Bruce A. Fasol

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, West Frankfort News Tagged With: demolition, hospital, torn down, umwa, west frankfort

Fundraiser planned for David Tedrow

November 14, 2012 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

A well-known Benton family needs your help.

David Tedrow was recently diagnosed with a rare form of thyroid cancer and is receiving aggressive treatment in St. Louis five days per week.

On Saturday, Dec. 1 friends of David and April Tedrow are sponsoring a fundraiser to help defray the costs of the ongoing medical treatment and travel. A rummage sale, auction, raffle and fish fry will be held at the Benton Kiwanis Hall located on Hudelson Street, adjacent to the Benton Civic Center. All proceeds from the event will go to the Tedrow family.

Currently, items for the rummage sale and auction are being collected and can be dropped off at the Whittington Water Department or at Martin’s Restaurant & Catering, located on East Main Street in Benton. Anybody wanting to purchase or help sell tickets for the fish fry or needing more information can contact Dale and Penny Brookins at 927-1960 or Bob and Linda Martin at 927-2627.

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

WF Council donates land to Habitat for Humanity

November 13, 2012 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

West Frankfort Mayor Tom Jordan visits with local Habitat for Humanity board members, including President Vanessa Sneed, right, at West Frankfort City Hall. The board members attended the West Frankfort City Council meeting Tuesday night to thank the city for the donation of a lot to be developed by the nonprofit.

A lot on East Elm Street in West Frankfort is set to become the fourteenth piece of property developed by the Helping Hands unit of the Franklin County Habitat for Humanity, after the West Frankfort City Council voted to donate the land at 1102 E. Elm Street during their regular meeting Tuesday night.

In other action at the meeting, Franklin County Assistant State’s Attorney Steve Swofford presented $1,000 to the city for its Police work on drug cases. Swofford went on to say that the West Frankfort Police Department had conducted more than 70 controlled substance buys since Jan. 1 in the course of investigating illegal drug sales in the city. He commended the department and Police Chief Jeff Tharp, calling their work “first class, first rate.” City Attorney Mike Riva added that he commended State’s Attorney Evan Owens and his staff for their “aggressive prosecution” of drug cases.

Council members also approved a new resident for the Business Incubator – J&J Gaming. The firm will be working on a state contract for video gaming in the region. The city will spend $6,422.12 to build a security fence at the Business Incubator for the gaming company. Mayor Tom Jordan said he believed that J&J Gaming will be creating jobs in West Frankfort.

The council voted to accept a land donation at 513 W. Midway Street as part of the city’s renewal program. Buildings on the lot will be torn down, and the lot will be made available for sale and development.

— Bruce A. Fasol

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, West Frankfort News Tagged With: business incubator, habitat for humanity, j&j gaming, jeff tharp, mike riva, steve swofford, tom jordan, vanessa sneed, west frankfort, west frankfort city council

West Frankfort crews hang holiday decorations

November 13, 2012 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

Roger Stanley supervises as Jimmy Edwards and Jeff Woolard hang decorations with the help of Kent Earnheart and Foreman Larry Presley operating the backhoe.

On Tuesday, West Frankfort Street Department crews began the task of hanging Holiday decorations throughout the downtown area. The city took over the decoration duties from the Chamber of Commerce earlier this year.

Volunteers had traditionally put up the decorations early on a Saturday morning. Workers are expected to meet this Saturday as well – if needed.

“The Street Department is trying to help volunteer efforts by getting an early start, this year,” said Street Dept. Commissioner Tara Chambers. “Our city has owed such debt to those who turn out on a traditionally cold morning to work hard so that others may experience the lighted scene down Main Street.”

— Bruce A. Fasol

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, West Frankfort News Tagged With: christmas, decorations, street department, tara fasol-chambers, west frankfort

West Frankfort marks Veteran’s Day with downtown service

November 13, 2012 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

One of the largest Veteran’s Day crowds in recent memory assembled Monday morning in downtown West Frankfort to honor America’s war veterans. The ceremony at the Veteran’s Memorial/Museum was preceeded an hour earlier by a detail at the monument in one of the traveling graveside programs. The first eye-catching remembrance of those lost in combat, or injured in battle, comes from the concrete doughboy statue bearing the inscription, “Lest we forget.” Ceremonies like this Veteran’s Day program make sure that will never happen.

West Frankfort Mayor Tom Jordan spoke, with the mayor’s theme being “unity.” Jordan read the lyrics to a song which contained the phrase ” United we stand, divided we fall.” That lyric has been oft repeated in American history, the mayor said. Jordan pointed out how today’s society has fragmented along religious, political, sexual orientation, and other divides. Jordan then said that the military was a good example of the unity that is needed in society today. The mayor spoke for others there, reminding everyone he is not a veteran, yet has a deep sense of their service in making us a free nation.

As people arrived for the service, some probably noticed a simple, wooden unit located in front of the Doughboy memorial. Led by Drill Sgt. Brad Dunning, the Black Tigers Ceremonial Guard made a stirring presentation to the assembled crowd. Flags from the various branches of the military were presented by the Black Tigers.

Following that, individual Black Tigers made a solemn procession to place items on that wooden shelf. There was a military weapon presented, along with boots, helmets and hats, dogtags and other memorabilia from past wars. Each piece represented a facet of military life: a life that those being remembered gave for our freedom. The presentation brought tears to the eyes of many of those assembled in the morning cold.

West Frankfort native Dunning then asked the crowd to put their hands over their hearts “in a show of respect” for those being honored. He then ordered the veterans, “You will salute the flag.”

It was pointed out that we gather for these few minutes at the same time each year to honor those who have made a sacrifice so that we remain free. Since World War I, over one million soldiers have died, and another 1.5 million have been wounded.

Following the outdoor ceremony, a public reception was hosted by the West Frankfort Veteran’s of Foreign Wars. Names of local veterans who had passed were solemnly read, with a single bell tolling after each name.

— Bruce A. Fasol