March 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment
J.B Pritzker was the winner in Tuesday’s Democratic primary election defeating a crowded field of six candidates. He will face incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner in the November general election. Rauner won a close and bitter contest against state Rep. Jeanne Ives.
March 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment
J.B Pritzker was the winner in Tuesday’s Democratic primary election defeating a crowded field of six candidates. He will face incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner in the November general election. Rauner won a close and bitter contest against state Rep. Jeanne Ives.
Preliminary snow reports across the region
March 12, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Based on preliminary reports received through 5 A.M., here is the latest snowfall map for the March 11 snowstorm. Please send us reports so we can be as accurate as possible. (NWS Paducah)
Illinois governor candidates at odds on marijuana use
March 11, 2018 By Leave a Comment
SPRINGFIELD –Illinois Democratic candidates for governor say it’s time for the state to legalize recreational marijuana, while Republican candidates oppose the idea.
Nine states and Washington, D.C, have already legalized recreational marijuana. Democrats seeking their party’s nomination for governor say it’s time the state follow suit, arguing the move would bring in needed revenue and would be a major step toward criminal justice reform.
The candidates in the March 20 primary are Sen. Daniel Biss, businessman Chris Kennedy, billionaire J.B. Pritzker, educator Bob Daiber, activist Tio Hardiman and physician Robert Marshall.
Please click on the link for the full story from Sarah Zimmerman of the St. Louis Post Dispatch
Winter Weather Advisory for the counties along Route 13 and south
March 11, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Rain will change to wet snow late this afternoon and this evening. A burst of heavy snow could reduce visibility and create a slushy accumulation on roads. Gusty north winds will lower temperatures to around 30 by daybreak Monday. Even though precipitation will end by Monday morning, lingering effects of the snow could slow the morning commute. (NWS Paducah)
This is going to be one of those systems that is going to be tricky to forecast. It is one also, the farther north you get, the warmer it is going to be. Here is a breakdown of what the NWS has in the forecast. Like the last glazing of ice, the Route 149 corridor will be important. I am going a little south to show you the increased amounts.
- At this time, Benton, Christopher, and Sesser you are in the clear, it will be all rain.
- Zeigler and Royalton around an inch
- West Frankfort and Thompsonville and even going to throw in Galatia 1/2 inch
- Herrin and Johnston City 1″ -2″
- Harrisburg 2″ – 4″
- The rest of Southern Illinois anywhere between 1 to 4″
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the counties along Route 13 to the South.
Here is what my opinion is on this. We are switching to a spring time weather pattern. It is going to be an event like scattered showers with pockets of what would be heavy rain.
The atmosphere will be below freezing. With temperatures in the mid to upper 30’s it is going to fall as snow.
This will mainly be on grassy surfaces, however, if you get under one of these heavy snow bands, roads could be slick and hazardous.
KFVS – 12 chief meteorologist Grant Dade used the analogy of a prolonged hail storm. The ground surface could be 80 degrees, but the roads would be slick, and hail could pile up on the pavement for a very short time. Also he said we could see thundersnow.
Several seek my opinion and it humbles me. For Franklin County, I can see being on the northern edge of one of these heavy snow bands, especially in the southern part of the county and dropping an inch or two.
Five miles could make a huge difference today. I need you to be my eyes for me today. – Steve
SEVEN DAY FORECAST
Today
Rain before 5pm, then rain likely, possibly mixed with snow. Temperature falling to around 36 by 5pm. North northeast wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Tonight
Rain and snow likely, mainly before 11pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 29. North wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Northwest wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. North northwest wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 23. North northwest wind 6 to 9 mph.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 45. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Southwest wind around 7 mph.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 59. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. South southwest wind around 10 mph.
Friday
A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 64. South southwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. South southwest wind around 10 mph.
Saturday
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. South southwest wind around 10 mph.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for western Kentucky, far southern Illinois, and the Mississippi River counties of southeast Missouri. Rain will change to a burst of heavy wet snow late today or this evening. A quick 1 to 3 inches of snow is expected. Isolated higher amounts are possible in small bands of heavy snow. Please refer to the advisory product for more details. Flood Warnings continue for many area rivers. Rivers and lakes have either reached their flood crest or the flood crest is currently occurring. Please refer to flood statements for details. .
DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Monday through Saturday There is a slight chance for thunderstorms in southeast Missouri, southwest Illinois and far west Kentucky late Friday night, and mainly across portions of southeast Missouri and west Kentucky on Saturday. Severe storms are not expected at this time. .
SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT… Spotter activation is not anticipated at this time. However, spotters are encouraged to report snow accumulations or impacts to roads.
Mark S. Kern – Ewing
March 9, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The Rend Lake College community lost one of its most impactful leaders Thursday. Mark S. Kern, the longest-serving president in Rend Lake College’s history, passed away March 8, 2018.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, March 12, at Whittington Baptist Church. Service will be at 1 p.m. with burial immediately following at Oak Hill Cemetery. Cory Garmane, an RLC alum, will sing songs to open and close the service, and State Rep. Dave Severin, Franklin County Circuit Clerk Jim Muir, and RLC Foundation Board Member Sam Mateer are scheduled to speak. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rend Lake College Foundation Mark S. Kern Memorial Fund to assist Rend Lake College students.
Funeral arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Mark Kern spent 40 years of his working life in the Illinois Community College System – longer than any employee in the history of the system, according to the Illinois Community College Trustees Association at the time.
Some of his honors include:
· Induction into the RLC Sports Hall of Fame class of 2008 for his support of Warrior athletics
· Franklin County 4-H “Outstanding Alumnus” and Franklin County Soil Conservation “Farmer of the Year”
· One of three Illinoisans selected for the Cooperative Extension Cow Tour in 1987
· 2001 Statewide Commercial Producers Award
· Past Vice President and Secretary of the Illinois Council of Community College Administrators
· Past member of the Benton Consolidated High School Board of Education
· Kern farmed in partnership with his father, Frank, for many years, and later owned and operated a 660-acre farm with 100 head of beef cows
Mark Kern is survived by his wife Pat; children Frank Kern (wife Patty), Eric Kern, Brian Kern (wife Summer), Jason Kern (wife Janie), and Megan Williams (husband Chris); and Pat’s daughter Melissa Richardson (husband Tim). Mark and Pat have eight grandchildren. They include, Caden, Charli, Ellsie, Cash, Landon Wesley, and Hunter Kern. Pat’s grandchildren include Gavin and Whitley Richardson. Mark’s first wife and the children’s mother Lana Barminski-Kern.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents: Frank Wesley and W. Juanita Kern; his daughter Heather Kern; and a grandson Kern Allan Williams.
To view the Rend Lake College press release, visit www.RLC.edu
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Mark, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
