WSIL Sack Hunger: Benton Ministerial Alliance

September 8, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36315164/sack-hunger-benton-ministerial-alliance

WSIL-TV Photo

BENTON, IL – Evie Allen, WSIL-TV.  Please click on the link to read the full story and watch the video.  Here is an excerpt below.

We’re just one day away from Friday night football and Sack Hunger. This week News 3 is in Benton as the Rangers host Pinckneyville.

Last week, fans helped us collect more than 2,200 items for pantries in Herrin and Carterville.
Benton resident, Ellen Colley, knows first-hand what it’s like living paycheck to paycheck.

“Some of us don’t even make it to the next paycheck and that’s why places like this really help,” said Colley.

She says getting free food at Benton-West City Ministerial Alliance has allowed her to stretch her dollars.

“If it wasn’t for this place, we just wouldn’t make it,” she said.

Filed Under: Benton News, Featured, Slider

SIU SOFTBALL OPENS FALL SEASON ON SUNDAY

September 7, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Tony McDaniel, siusalukis.com.

Saluki Softball opens its fall season this weekend with a double header from Charlotte West Stadium against two in-state foes, Rend Lake College and John A. Logan College.

Sunday’s doubleheader marks the first of eight home exhibition games that the Salukis will play this fall in a series of preseason warm-up games to give the defending Missouri Valley Conference Champions a chance to gel as a team.

“We’ve got two pitchers that are coming back and we have seven starters that had significant playing time returning. We also have five freshmen that are coming in that are very talented,” head coach Kerri Blaylock said. “We use fall ball as a chance to play everybody to see where we are at. We will play multiple lineups, positions and those types of things.”

Last season, the Salukis posted a 33-24 record while going 17-8 in Missouri Valley play. Southern capped off the regular season by winning eight of its last 10 games before defeating Missouri State, Illinois State and UNI in the MVC Tournament to win the league title and earn its first NCAA Tournament bid since 2007.

Southern lost several key players to graduation last year including all-time RBI and doubles leader Shaye Harre. Luckily for the Salukis, returning to the team is a nucleus of young talent including senior infielder Syndey Jones and sophomores Katelyn Massa and Maddy Vermejan. All three players were selected to All-MVC teams at the end of the 2017 regular season.

Also returning is the Salukis’ ace pitcher, Brianna Jones. Jones won 18 games in 2017 striking out 130 batters and walking just 35 in 213.1 innings pitched. She posted an ERA of 2.40 on her way to an All-MVC First Team selection.

The Salukis will welcome freshmen, Maris Boelens, Megan Brown, Shelby Hodo, Jenny Jansen and Meredith Wernig to the team this year. Blaylock said that the Saluki faithful will get a chance to see all five newcomers play throughout the fall and that they are settling into the team nicely.

“What is nice about early recruiting and early verbal commitments is that it allows new players to the team a chance to visit campus several times and get to know our kids,” Blaylock said. “It really makes that transition a lot easier. We scrimmaged earlier this week and all the freshmen played and hit the ball very well. They look like they belong.”

Throughout the fall, the Salukis will play eight games at home from Sept. 10 to Oct. 1. The team will welcome some stiff competition into Charlotte West Stadium. Southern takes on three Division I programs in Saint Louis, Southeast Missouri State and Murray State. The three Division I opponents combined to win 84 games in 2017 and Murray State qualified for the National Invitational Softball Championship. Southern is also hosting two very good Division II programs in Southern Indiana and Missouri – St. Louis. In 2017, USI made a run all the way to the NCAA Division II Softball Championship and UMSL hosted the Division II NCAA Midwest Regional.

“We try to always schedule Division I teams,” Blaylock said. “A lot of Division I schools don’t schedule other Division I teams in fall ball, but we feel like it is very important. We have a good mix of Division I, Division II and junior college teams that we play. The junior colleges are very, very good. It is really a good way to test our kids.”

Southern’s fall season kicks off on Saturday at SIU’s football game against Mississippi Valley State when the 2017 MVC Championship team will be awarded their rings in a ceremony at halftime. The following day, the Salukis will take on Rend Lake College at noon and John A. Logan at 2 p.m. Admission is free to all children 12 and under.

For all of the updates with Saluki softball, be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram @SIU_Softball and on Facebook at Saluki Softball.

Filed Under: Slider, Sports

Royalton residents band together to help hurricane victims

September 7, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36306986/royalton-residents-band-together-to-help-hurricane-victims

Royalton residents come to the aid of victims of Hurricane Harvey. (WSIL-TV photo.

ROYALTON, Il – (Evie Allen, WSIL-TV. Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

People in Royalton came together Wednesday to help victims of the deadly hurricane in Texas.

In just two days, they organized a drive that sent a semi full of supplies to the gulf coast.

Babara Patterson says over the weekend she saw a side of her home town she hasn’t seen in years.

Friday, residents reached into their wallets and bought enough goods to send down to Houston Texas.

 

Filed Under: Featured, Royalton News, Slider

Natalie Phelps Finnie appointed to General Assembly

September 6, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36306321/natalie-phelps-finnie-appointed-to-general-assembly

Local Demorcatic leaders gather at Southeastern Illinois College for the announcement of Natalie Phelps-Finnie taking over the 118th State Representative seat. (WSIL-TV)

HARRISBURG, IL – (Andrew Feather, WSIL-TV.  Please click on the link for the full story and video.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Natalie Phelps Finnie became the first woman to represent Illinois’ 118th district Wednesday, when Democrats appointed her to replace her cousin, Brandon Phelps, who resigned from office last week.

She does have a political pedigree. Her father, David Phelps, served in Springfield and as United States Congressman.

A nurse practitioner, Phelps Finnie says she makes tough choices every day, and will bring that same attitude to the General Assembly.

“I’m a Christian, I’m a mother, I’m a wife, I’m a nurse practitioner. I think that says a lot,” she said.

Local Democratic leaders call Phelps Finnie “well qualified” for the position.

But Republicans disagree.

Massac County State’s Attorney Patrick Windhorst, who will run for the seat in 2018, said, “The 118th district is not the Phelps family seat. Southern Illinois needs change, not more of the same. Our voice in Springfield is too important to be handed down to the next available Phelps family member.”

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, Slider, State News

Carmi just too strong for young CZR Bearcats

September 6, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/sports/20170905/carmi-just-too-strong-for-young-czr-bearcats

C_Z-R QB Bryce Pratt gets the play call from the sidelines. (Randall Risley, Photo

CARMI, IL  (Randall Risley, Benton News.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Kaizen is the Japanese word for “constant improvement.” That Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton football lost 40-0 to Carmi-White County doesn’t take away from the measurable, encouraging progress the very young Bearcats are demonstrating.

Kaizen is as much a philosophy as a word and CZR seems to be embracing that philosophy from the top down.

“One of the main goals was to get rid of that deer-in-the-headlights look. We wanted to come out and play at 100 percent,” said Bearcats first-year headc coach Anthony Hargrove. “We felt that we didn’t play at 100 percent last week because we were nervous, so this week we just wanted to play hard and see where the chips lay.”

Hargrove spoke about positivity and emotion saying, “That’s half the battle, you’ve got to get them to believe.”

Filed Under: Christopher High School Sports, High School Sports, Slider, Sports, Zeigler-Royalton High School Sports

Hurricane Irma to track toward US; Residents of East and Gulf coasts urged to prepare now

September 6, 2017 By Leave a Comment

https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/hurricane-irma-to-track-toward-us-residents-of-east-and-gulf-coasts-urged-to-prepare-now/70002631

(Jordan Root and Renee Duff -accuweather.com.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

accuweather.com

As Major Hurricane Irma churns across the western Atlantic and towards the United States, residents along the Gulf and East coasts of the U.S. should prepare now for potential impacts.

Category 5 Hurricane Irma will blast the northern Caribbean with flooding rain, damaging winds and rough surf through midweek, bringing life-threatening conditions to the islands.

A similar scenario could play out somewhere along the Gulf or East coasts this weekend or next week, depending on where Irma tracks. Residents are urged to prepare now.

 

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, National News, Slider

Redbird multi sport athlete Kyle Hammers, others, gave their testiomy at Back to School Prayer Rally

September 5, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wfgazette.com/features/redbird-corner-back-shares-encounter-with-christ-at-rally/article_39c6ee4a-9039-11e7-8f42-cbaff2e404eb.html

WEST FRANKFORT, IL – (Tim Hastings, West Frankfort Gazette.  Please click on the link to read the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Kyle Hammers (23) in a game last basketball season against Murphysboro.

A Frankfort Community High School junior shared with several dozen of his peers at a back-to-school prayer rally that he recently felt as low as the soldier who nailed Christ to the cross.

“My Christian life was suffocating,” said Kyle Hammers, who plays corner-back and running-back for the Frankfort Community High School (FCHS) Redbirds. “I was having trouble with relationships and Jesus came running to me.”

Hammers spoke to approximately 40 members of the FCHS football team and cheerleading squad and 40 adults at the rally at First Christian Church of West Frankfort on Thursday night. He said the gospel shows Christ encountering outcasts when he was on earth. “Jesus came to earth for sinners,” Hammers said. “He came for people who were hurting.”

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Slider, West Frankfort News

Harrisburg fire station collects bug spray for Harvey victims

September 5, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36287888/harrisburg-fire-station-collects-bug-spray-for-harvey-victims

WSIL-TV

HARRISBURG, IL – (Hannah Gebresilassie, WSIL-TV.  Please click on the link for the full story and video.  Here is an excerpt below.)

The Harrisburg Fire Department is leading a drive in southern Illinois to collect bug spray to send to flood-recovery areas in Texas caused by Hurricane Harvey.

“We’re just trying to do our part,” said Beth Monfort, the Harrisburg Fire and Police Commissioner of Public Safety.

Harrisburg firefighters said they remember the deadly tornado that tore through the city in 2012, and the destruction it left.

“Until you run into some devastation like we did with the tornado back on that leap day, people don’t realize just how much that does affect you,” said Harrisburg Fire Chief John Gunning. “And what help that you did receive, how much you appreciate that.”

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, Slider

Fall like weather for the work week

September 5, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Seven Day Forecast

This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Northwest wind around 11 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 72. Northwest wind 5 to 11 mph.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming west northwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 53. West northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Light and variable wind.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming east northeast around 6 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 55. East wind 3 to 5 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 78. East northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 55. East northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 79. Northeast wind 5 to 8 mph.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, Slider

Franklin County Sheriff’s Report 9/1/17

September 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release from Don Jones, Franklin County Sheriff

8-23-17 at 10:00 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural Benton. The investigation led to the arrest of Donald A. Prusaczyk age 24 of Benton for domestic battery.

8-25-17 at 1:30 pm a traffic stop in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Laura Kay Oliver Age 29 of West Frankfort for driving while license suspended.

8-25-17 at 1:36 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on II. Rt. 37 just north of Benton. A 2010 Chevrolet Impala driven by Dustin L. Johnson age 21 of Benton was north bound and read-ended a trash truck; a 2014 Autocar, driven by James M. McGee age 53 of Marion. The truck was also north bound, servicing trash cans. There were no injuries and Johnson was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

8-26-17 at 4:28 am Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural West Frankfort. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Denise M. Johnson age 33 of West Frankfort for battery

.
8-26-17 at 9:28 am a traffic stop in rural West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Tylena Kay Poe age 40 of West Frankfort for driving while license suspended.

8-26-17 at 7:39 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural Mulkeytown. The incident resulted in the arrest of Nicole K. Sanders age 34 of Mulkeytown on an outstanding arrest warrant for failure to appear on possession of a controlled substance.

8-28-17 at 5:25 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on II. Rt. 148 just south of Renfro Lake Road. A 2007 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Daniel A. Jolly age 43 of Christopher was north bound on Rt. 148 in traffic when it sideswiped a 1990 Dodge Dynasty stalled partially in the north bound lane. There were no injuries and the driver of the Dodge, Kevin A. Stangle age 27 of Christopher was ticketed for improper parking on roadway and improper use of registration.

8-29-17 at 1:52 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle crash on II. State Hwy. Rt. 149 at intersection with II. Sate Hwy. 184. A 2011 GMC Terrain driven by Justin K. Howard Age 32 of West Frankfort was west bound on Rt. 149 and failed to negotiate the turn into a bean field. The driver received minor injuries but refused medical treatment. He was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

8-29-17 at 1:32 pm Deputies responded to a single vehicle crash on the south edge of Benton, Rt. 37 at Oddfellow Lane. A 2000 Chevrolet Taho driven by Chad A. Kramer age 45 of West Frankfort was north bound and suffered some type of medical episode. The driver lost control and struck several monuments after running off the road. The vehicle overturned and came to rest after striking a building at that location. The driver received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott E.M.S.

8-30-17 at 9:57 pm a traffic stop in Benton resulted in the arrest of Amanda D. Worley age 38 of Benton for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

8-31-17 Deputies arrested two 15 year old male juveniles for felony theft. This is part of an ongoing investigation of a residential burglary, firearm theft, credit card theft and unlawful use of credit cards. The crimes occurred in West Frankfort and Orient. Further arrests are anticipated.

WARRANTS

8-26-17 Devin A. Odaniell age 24 of Royalton. Failure to appear for possession of drug paraphernalia.

8-26-17 Kendra R. Marvel Age 27 of Logan. Failure to appear for retail theft. 8-26-17 Joy Griffith age 58 of Benton. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

8-31-17    Nathan T. Ellison age 34 of Pittsburg. Failure to appear for residential burglary.

9-1-17    Jordan A. Pennington age 31 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear for unlawful use of weapons.

The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sheriff Don Jones

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, Slider
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