Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
Franklin County Emergency Management agency reported around a half hour ago of a traffic backup on I 57 north of the West Frankfort exit.
In the above graphic the Red means Traffic is at a stand-still. There orange means congestion on Route 37 in Benton and on Route 14 east of town.
The new technology in place since the eclipse will help in determine things in real time. This update was at 4:07. You can get this information from gettingaroundillinois.com.
I will keep you posted hourly. -steve
By ReAnne Palmer – Rend Lake College Public Information
Lane Bradley and Amy Kovarik were crowned the Rend Lake College 2018 Homecoming King and Queen during halftime of the Warriors Basketball game Wednesday night. The King and Queen are voted for by the RLC student body every spring.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
INA – Rend Lake College announced the 2018 Homecoming King and Queen tonight during halftime of the Warriors basketball game tonight against Lincoln Trail College. Lane Bradley of Steeleville representing the Culinary Arts Club and Amy Kovarik of Sesser representing the Student Ambassadors were crowned King and Queen.
Bradley is the son of Tyler and Kristie Bradley. The Steeleville High School graduate is a Culinary Arts major at RLC. After graduating, Bradley plans to continue on to a four-year university to become a dietician.
Kovarik is the daughter of Mike and Dawn Kovarik. The Sesser-Valier High School graduate is a civil engineering major. Her future plans include transferring to Southern Illinois University to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, and later finding a job in her field.
Runners-up for the evening were Cole Hutchens of Ewing representing the Student Ambassadors and Ellie Carlson of Pinckneyville representing the Women’s Golf team.
Hutchens is the son of Robert and Kathy Hutchens. The Benton Consolidated High School graduate is from Ewing and studies chemical engineering at RLC. After graduating, he plans to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology to continue studying chemical engineering.
The RLC 2018 Homecoming Court is, FROM LEFT, Cole Hutchens of Ewing; Amy Kovarik of Sesser; Brady Bibbs of Hornersville, Mo.; Kelsey Krutsinger of Flora; Garrett Jones of Bluford; Madison Webb of Dahlgren; Lane Bradley of Steeleville; and Ellie Carlson of Pinckneyville.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Carlson is the daughter of Jim and Cheryl Carlson. The Pinckneyville Community High School graduate is an undecided major at RLC. Her future plans include attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale to major in health care management.
Other King candidates were Brady Bibbs of Hornersville, Mo. and Garrett Jones of Bluford.
Bibbs is the son of Mark and Sarah Bibbs. From Hornersville, Missouri, the Senath-Hornersville High School graduate is a social work major at RLC who competes with the Baseball team. He plans to continue his academic and athletic careers in the future.
Jones is the son of Wayne Jones and Lori Hails. The Webber Township High School graduate is an engineering major at RLC who is representing the Thespians. In the future, he plans to transfer to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.
Other Queen candidates were Kelsey Krutsinger of Flora and Madison Webb of Dahlgren.
Krutsinger is the daughter of Chris and Joe Krutsinger. The Flora High School graduate is an elementary education major at RLC who competes for the Lady Warriors Softball team. She plans to transfer to a four-year school to continue playing softball.
Webb is the daughter of Ricky and Frankie Webb. The Hamilton County Senior High School graduate is a musical theatre major at RLC representing the Thespians. Her future plans are undecided.
Press Release from Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Governor Bruce Rauner today attended oral arguments before the Supreme Court of the United States on Janus v. AFSCME, a landmark court case initiated by the administration that aims to restore free speech to public employees and forever alter the relationship between taxpayers and public unions.
Rallying from both sides of the issue outside the Supreme Court in Washington. (State of Illinois website.)
“Shortly after taking office in 2015, I took action to protect the free speech and free association rights of government employees who are forced to pay union dues and fund political causes they don’t agree with,” said Rauner. “Today, as these arguments are heard before the United States Supreme Court, I am proud of what we started three years ago. The gravity of the court’s decision will be felt not just in Illinois, but across America and I am confident that they will side with free speech for the people of our great nation.”
In 2015, the Rauner administration issued an executive order – and filed Rauner v. AFSCME in federal court – making it illegal for public sector unions to collect dues from government workers who opted out of a union. When a federal judge ruled that, as governor, Rauner didn’t have standing to represent workers in the suit, Mark Janus, an employee of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services stepped in.
The Rauner administration wants to change a law that requires public employees to pay dues even if they aren’t in the union, a practice that has gone on in America for the last 40 years.
“No person should be forced to give up a portion of their pay each month to fund public sector union activity,” Rauner said. “It’s a fundamental violation of cherished American rights to free speech and free association.”
BENTON — Da Vinci Beverages is being sued by Marion-based marketing firm James Arthur and Company for several counts of breach of contract.
The complaint, filed in Franklin County Court in December, asks that the court require Da Vinci, a member of the Morthland family of businesses, to pay between $10,000 and $50,000.
The complaint alleges that Da Vinci entered into a contract with JAC in January 2017 for social media marketing and other branding services.
Please click on the link below for the full story from Isaac Smith of the Southern Illinoisan.
Although the rain is gone and the over land flood warnings from the National Weather Service in Paducah have been lifted, you strongly urged to stay away from flooded roadways and low lying areas the next few days. Many highway and emergency management crews have placed road closure signs up across many of the flooded roadways across the region. Several roads across the area have been seriously damaged due to the excessive rainfall this past week. Please do not attempt to travel around these signs or barricades. They have been put up for your safety! You are placing yourself and those who may have to rescue you in serious danger, if you disregard the signs and barricades associated with flooded areas. Due to the widespread river flooding on the Ohio River and its tributaries, as well as some locations on the Mississippi River, many smaller creeks and streams feeding into these rivers will not drain for several hours and possibly up to a week. Keep small children and pets away from swollen waterways and fast moving waters as the water slowly recedes. Be especially cautious while traveling at night, since it may be more difficult to see the dangers of flooded roads in time. If find yourself approaching a flooded roadway, please \”Turn Around, Don`t Drown\”. (NWS Paducah)
…The flood warning continues for the Big Muddy River affecting areas in southwest Illinois… Near Plumfield affecting Franklin and Williamson Counties Near Murphysboro affecting Jackson County
.Water levels continue to slowly rise along portions of the Big Muddy River with moderate flood conditions expected to develop near Murphysboro later today. Flooding is forecast to end at both locations by late this weekend.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… SAFETY MESSAGE… Never drive cars…trucks or sport utility vehicles through flooded areas. The water may be too deep to allow safe passage. Never allow children to play in or near flood waters. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or your local media for further statements and possible updated forecasts.
.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight Numerous river flood warnings remain in effect. Please refer to the warning products and their follow up statements for details. .
DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Tuesday through Sunday One to as much as two inches of rainfall are expected Tuesday night through early Thursday. This amount of rain will tend to cause water to collect in low-lying and flood prone areas, possibly resulting in some standing water on roads that have a tendency to flood. Some thunderstorm activity is possible Wednesday.
At this time, severe weather is not anticipated, but this might change. Windy conditions are likely on Thursday behind a cold front. Northwest winds could gust to 40 mph at times. River flood warnings will remain in effect through much of the week. Refer to the flood warnings and statements for important river flood details, including the latest updated information.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT… Spotter activation is not anticipated at this time.
INA -Author Jason Miller took time out of his schedule on Wednesday to speak at Rend Lake College as part of the RLC Speaker Series sponsored by the college’s Liberal Arts Cultural Committee. Miller has written two novels in a mystery series titled “Slim in Little Egypt,” both of which revolve around the Southern Illinois coal mining industry. Originally from Southern Illinois, Miller now resides in Nashville, Tenn. (Reece Rutland – Rend Lake College Public Information)
By ReAnne Palmer, Rend Lake College Public Information
INA, Ill. – It’s not hard to spot the parking lot full of police cars on a Saturday at Rend Lake College. Since the beginning of January, officers-in-training from across Southern Illinois have been making the trip to RLC every weekend to clock more hours at the Part-Time Police Academy.
Instructor Doug Wilson, RIGHT, shows two officers correct form during the hands-on portion of the Part-Time Police Academy last Saturday. (All photos by ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
The training is the result of a new partnership between RLC and the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, specifically the Southern Illinois Criminal Justice Training Program Mobile Team Unit (MTU) 15. In the past, MTU 15 offered the part-time academy trainings in Herrin, but began looking for a more centralized location.
Part of that search led MTU 15 Director Chuck Doan to the village of Ina at nearly the center of the region he serves, which covers more than two dozen counties between Effingham and Cairo.
“Our region covers 27 counties, everything south of Effingham, excluding parts of the Metro East. Rend Lake College is almost the geographic center of that region when looking at it from north to south,” said Doan. “I felt like, if we could do it nearer the geographic center, it would be best for all parties involved.”
That’s when MTU 15 Field Assistant Dave Rednour contacted the college, specifically Ron Meek, Criminal Justice Professor, and expressed interest in hosting the academy on a part-time basis.
While on campus, the Part-Time Police Academy meets in the Coal Mine Training Center on the west side of campus to utilize both classroom space and open areas for any practical, hands-on training. Trainees can also use the mock mine for low-light situations, the RLC Shooting Range for weapons training, and Waugh Gymnasium and the track for various needs.
Wilson, RIGHT, demonstrates correct procedures for officers to practice during the Part-Time Police Academy last Saturday.
The 9-month program requires the officers-in-training to do online work during the week and meet on RLC’s campus for an 8-hour day to cover hands-on, practical tactics. In the end, all officers will complete 560 hours in the academy.
Not only is the academy a good geographical move for MTU 15, but RLC students are already reaping some benefits. Meek explained the benefits for the college as a whole and for students in the criminal justice program are limitless.
“It’s a benefit for the college, as well as for them, because we get to use their specialized equipment while providing the space. Our campus is perfect for that,” said Meek. “They’ve hired some of our adjunct professors and other law enforcement professionals in the area to be instructors for them.”
He continued, “It’s a win-win. There are lots of opportunities for the academy students to get in and take our classes to continue their education. We’re also expanding our drone program to work on law enforcement specific programs.”
Officers meet in the Coal Mine Training Center’s (CMTC) open space to discuss and practice hands-on exercises. The Part-Time Police Academy also uses classroom space and the mock mine in the CMTC.
Meek said much of the credit for the partnership lands at the feet of RLC President Terry Wilkerson who gave the green light nearly six months ago.
“The college president was very forward-thinking about this and saw it as a good thing for Rend Lake College, our programs, and the training unit,” said Meek. “We provide them with a first-class training facility with everything they need, and we see benefits in return.”
To check out more photos from the Part-Time Police Academy, visit www.flickr.com/rendlakecollege.
There have not been any reports of road closures this morning. I would use my own discretion about driving on roads across the county that are flood prone. Do not drive around barricades. We have two days to dry out before we receive another round of precipitation again, Tuesday night into Wednesday. -sd
The Flood Warning continues for the Big Muddy River near Plumfield.
* from Sunday afternoon to Thursday morning.
* At 9:00 PM Saturday the stage was 19.0 feet.
* Flood Stage is 20.0 feet.
* Minor flooding is forecast.
* Forecast…Rise above flood stage by tomorrow afternoon and continue to rise to near 21.0 feet by early Tuesday morning. The river will fall below flood stage by early Thursday morning.
* Impact…At 20.0 Feet…Minor flooding occurs affecting mainly bottom-land and surrounding low lying areas.
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .
DAY ONE…Today and Tonight Flood Warnings remain in effect across the entire area as flood waters will be slow to recede today. Numerous river flood warnings are also in effect. Refer to the warning products and their follow up statements for more details. .
DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Monday through Saturday One to two inches of rainfall are possible during the Tuesday night to Thursday time frame. River flood warnings will remain in effect into next week. Refer to the flood warnings and statements for important river flood details, including the latest updated information. .
SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT… Reports of any damage from the Saturday evening thunderstorms would be appreciated, along with any ongoing flood issues or rainfall totals.
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting one case of Legionnaire’s Disease in an Illinois resident. Additional information about the resident, including their medical condition, is not available.
IDPH is gathering information about the individual’s recent travels to identify potential sources of exposure to the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s Disease. Several locations are being investigated, including the Capitol Complex and a hotel where the individual stayed during a January 2018 visit to Springfield.
Out of an abundance of caution, IDPH is providing this information to the public, given that water samples recently collected from the Capitol Complex tested positive for Legionella.
Legionella bacteria occur naturally in the environment. Water containing Legionella bacteria can be aerosolized through cooling towers, showers, hot tubs, and decorative fountains, and can cause illness when inhaled. Approximately 300 cases of Legionnaires’ disease are reported across Illinois each year.
Legionnaires’ disease usually begins with symptoms like high fever (102 degrees F – 105 degrees F), chills, muscle pain, and headache. Other symptoms may include cough (which may be dry or productive), shortness of breath, chest pain, or even gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea. The incubation period, the time between exposure and onset of illness, is up to 12 days.
More information about Legionnaires’ disease can be found on the IDPH website.
