Severin Meets with Law Enforcement and First Responders

WEST FRANKFORT, IL – Wednesday, State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) met with his Law Enforcement and First Responders Advisory Committee in West Frankfort. This was the first meeting for the committee, which is made up of local leaders in their respective fields. The group covered a range of issues from asset forfeiture to general suggestions on how to make working with state agencies more efficient.

“I enjoyed meeting with leaders from law enforcement and first responder communities. I received excellent feedback. I have a better understanding of the issues they face and how I can better serve them,” Severin said. “Advisory committees help me do my job better.  I look forward to meeting with this committee and others from a number of different fields.”

West Frankfort Public Library hosts Shred Day

The West Frankfort Public Library will host their Shred Day this morning from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M.  They will be accepting documents, junk mail, and old hard drives.

The Salvation Army will be there as well accepting donations, that are in usable condition.

Man extricated from vehicle after crash in Franklin County

UPDATE FROM YESTERDAY

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/35618386/man-extricated-from-vehicle-after-crash-in-franklin-co-il

Picture submitted to W3D radio by a listener on the scene.

WEST FRANKFORT, IL (Joshua Murray, KFVS -TV.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

A truck pulling a camper trailer rolled over on I-57 near West Frankfort, Illinois on Thursday, June 8.

Charles W. Sparks, 86, of Fairview Heights, Illinois, was driving a truck pulling a camper when he tried to pass another vehicle. Sparks’ tires dropped off of the left side of the road and when he brought the vehicle back onto the road he lost control.

 

Two wrecks on I -57 this morning

There were two accidents on I-57 this morning, as this is becoming more frequent here in Franklin County.

At 1:37 a.m. this morning, West City Fire Department were called to an accident southbound at the 74 mile marker,  with injuries.  Benton Fire responded for mutual aid.

Around 7:30 a.m. this morning, West Frankfort Fire was called to a truck and horse trailer rollover, close to .  Northbound traffic was exit 65.  Traffic was detoured to the off ramp and were let back on the interstate at the on ramp.

West Frankfort police confirmed the interstate is now open.

sd

Mission Serve Home Repair Ministry coming to West Frankfort

http://www.wfgazette.com/news/mission-serve-home-repair-ministry-coming-to-west-frankfort/article_321546d2-4c51-11e7-9eba-27716801bf41.html

Mission Serve will be in West Frankfort working on ten houses, June 17th-24th. (Gazette Photo)

WEST FRANKFORT, IL – (William McPherson – West Frankfort Gazette.  Please click on link above for the full story.  Here is a link below.)

Sometimes the best type of ministry involves a hammer and tape measure.

The project will be administered through a ministry program called Mission Serve from June 17-24. According to their website, Mission Serve has been involved in pre-packaged missions for over 20 years. Mission Serve partners with local city governments to assist in the rehabilitation of sub-standard housing. “We believe in being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ and sharing His love through missions and home rehab. Mission Serve is a life-changing mission experience, and we encourage you to join us for one of our projects.”

“We spend a lot of money, unfortunately, tearing down homes,” Mayor Tom Jordan added. “So we’re also going to try to work the other side of this by making an investment in the community by helping them with material so that they can repair some of these homes.” Jordan added the homes repaired here are solid houses owned by low-income residents that need new roofs or other large projects. Jordan said this is the first year this project has taken place, and is hopeful that it will be a success and continue for a couple years.

Preventing vehicle fires in the summer

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/35614141/preventing-vehicle-fires-in-the-summer

A truck burst into flames outside the Liquor Barrel in West Frankfort Tuesday Night. (WSIL – Photo)

BENTON and WEST FRANKFORT, IL (Sean Conway, WSIL -TV.  Please click on the link above for the full story and video.  Here is an excerpt below.)

A truck bursts into flames in Franklin County, and  fire investigators blame a mechanical problem.

Tuesday night, the flames erupted on the truck in a liquor store parking lot in West Frankfort. Fire officials encourage you to react as calmly and quickly as possible if this happens to you on the road.

“We ask that people do exit their vehicle, immediately, with regard to safety of oncoming traffic, and to make sure once they get off the roadway, and get out of the vehicle, and they stay away from the vehicle.” said Chief Shane Cockrum, with the Benton Fire Department.

“Just Monday before you head to work, it’s a good idea to pop your hood and check all your fluids there,” said Luke Dare, with Napa Auto Parts in West Frankfort. “Check underneath the car if you have time in the morning.”

“Don’t expect to put your fire out. At that point, you should always, before you use that fire extinguisher, you should call 911 and have a fire department en route,” said Cockrum.

Franklin County SIU graduates for the spring semester

Southern Illinois University Carbondale held its Spring 2017 commencement activities, May 13.   They are listed below according to the town they reside in.

BENTON:

Brock C. Britton, BFA, art

Savanah J. Bullock, MSW, social work

Benjamin S. Dawson, BS, engineering technology

Raven C. Denbow, BS, animal science

Michaela L. Dollins, BS, civil engineering

Natasha K. Hammonds, BS, social work

Makennah M. Miller, BS, elementary education

Cassidy R. Neal, BS, accounting

Ethan M. Overturf, BS, special education

Jessa M. Thomas, BS, social work

Katie L. Williams, BS, elementary education

CHRISTOPHER:

Brenna L. Johnston, BS, social work

Jill A. Logan, MSW, social work

SESSER:

Cody A. Lingle, BS, information systems technologies

THOMPSONVILLE:

Charles J. Eaton, BS, information systems technologies

Cletus E. Price, JD, law

WEST FRANKFORT:

Ellen S. Beasley, BS, health care management

Devin Blackledge, BS, information systems technologies

Christi J. Bromley, BS, communication disorders and sciences

Micah D. Broy, BS, social work

Adam L. Dutton, BS, accounting

Heather M. Milligan, BS, social work

John C. Nolen, BA, computer science

Melanie S. Stoner, BS, paralegal studies

Jacob A. Wiegand, BS, journalism

East Main Sidewalk Project Moves Forward

http://www.wfgazette.com/news/east-main-sidewalk-project-moves-forward/article_a58425fa-4631-11e7-b0bc-67f0b07a8dab.html

William McPherson – West Frankfort Gazette Photo

WEST FRANKFORT, IL – (William McPherson – West Frankfort Gazette.  Please click on link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

For two weeks in a row, the West Frankfort City Council has approved moving forward with some long overdue sidewalk projects to fix some of the city’s crumbling walkways.

The council approved city engineers Brown and Roberts to prepare plans to repair a sidewalk on South Grand and East Main Street. Jordan said the process will involve removal of a tree on city property. City Engineer Mike Roberts said the project would be quite an involved process due to the rundown condition it is in.

Street Commissioner Tara Fasol-Chambers added, “The issue is that the sidewalk is in horrible shape, and it needs replaced, but anytime we replace a sidewalk we have to put it back ADA compliant.” Chambers said it was also a tricky location being right on top of the hill at Grand Street, making it a more involved task than just grading in a sidewalk. Chambers said the repairs were necessary as well because of that area being a really high-traffic location seeing lots of foot traffic every single day.

 

 

State Rep. Dave Severin to be in West Frankfort on Tuesday

The first stop in “Traveling Office Hours” across the district

This summer State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) will be holding a series of traveling office hours throughout the 117th District.

The first traveling office hours will be held on June 7th from 1 402 E Poplar St, in West Frankfort. 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the West Frankfort Public Library, located at

Throughout the summer Rep. Severin will hold several traveling office hours every month, all over the district. Dave and his staff will be available to take your opinions about what is going on in Springfield, and help you with any related issues you may have. Watch Rep. Severin’s website (www.repseverin.com), local newspapers, and other outlets throughout the summer for more times and locations.

Rep. Severin will also have information for you on various different state agencies and programs that may be of some assistance to you. Anyone with questions on the traveling office hours is encouraged to call the District Office at (618) 440-5090 or use the contact form on his website at www.repseverin.com.

Orient Man arrested on sex charges

On Wednesday, May 31st, at 3:00 p.m. Franklin County Sheriff’s investigators arrested Austin J. Berkley, 24 of Orient at his residence.

The arrest was made on a warrant charging aggravated criminal sexual abuse and indecent solicitation of a child.  The victim was a 15 year old high school student.

This is an ongoing criminal investigation. More arrests and charges are possible.  Berkley is being held in the Franklin County Jail in lieu of $80,000 bond.

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News