Parish, Miners Shut Out Freedom To Even Series

August 20, 2017 By Leave a Comment

From the Southern Illinois Miners

Miners right-hander Matt Parrish who allowed no runs and four hits in 6 2/3 innings, striking out two and one walk. (SI Miners photo)

MARION, IL  – The Southern Illinois Miners got a phenomenal start from right-hander Matt Parish and beat the Florence Freedom 2-0 on Saturday night at Rent One Park, snapping a five-game losing streak and evening the weekend series at one game apiece.

Both teams got baserunners but no runs in the first two frames, with Florence stranding runners at second and third base in the second when Parish (3-3) fanned Garrett Vail to end the inning. Southern Illinois would grab the lead off former Miner Steve Hagen (7-5) in the third inning when James Alfonso worked the count full and hit his second homer of the season, a solo shot to left field, to put Southern Illinois ahead 1-0.

Between the third and sixth innings, Parish would settle in and retire nine batters in a row, and permitted just three total baserunners after the second inning. In the meantime, the Miners doubled their lead with a two-out, fifth-inning rally. Ryan Sluder singled to left field and Nolan Earley walked before Ryan Lashley singled home Sluder to make it 2-0.

After walking a man with two outs in the seventh inning, Parish departed with the tying run at the plate and six and two-thirds scoreless innings under his belt on just four hits allowed, but the Miners’ bullpen made the lead stand up, as Kyle Grana and John Werner allowed only one baserunner between them in the seventh, eighth and ninth. Werner recorded his West Division-leading 18th save of the season, putting him two behind the franchise’s all-time record for career saves, by striking out Keivan Berges swinging to end the game.
Southern Illinois will go for a series win in the finale on Sunday night at 5:05 p.m., with Zach Cooper pitching for the Miners against Florence lefty Braulio Torres-Perez.

The Southern Illinois Miners are the 2016 Frontier League West Division Champions, the 2014 and 2015 Frontier League East Division Champions and the 2012 Frontier League Champions. They have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year award three times since their inception, and also set a new Frontier League attendance record in 2007, their inaugural season. For ticket information, contact the Rent One Park box office at (618) 998-8499. For any additional information, visit our website at www.southernillinoisminers.com.

Filed Under: Slider, Sports

50 influencers of Rend Lake College: Honorary Degrees, A family affair

August 20, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Reece Rutland, Rend Lake College Public Information/Sports information Director

INA, IL – Throughout Rend Lake College’s 50 year history, the most influential people on the college’s campus have been the thousands of students that have called it home. And while every student has left their mark on the pages of RLC legacy, we’ve only got 50 slots on the influencer list.

To that end, on behalf of all the Warriors out there, we dedicate this 50 Influencer story to you by focusing on two local families that help demonstrate the symbiotic nature between the college and those who utilize RLC’s services to better their lives.

The college had 16 great reasons to honor Rose Maloney and Victor and Betty Rapp.
Between the two families, 16 children attended and graduated from RLC, in perhaps the two biggest displays of support in the college’s history.

While neither Rose, Victor nor Betty graduated from RLC, each and every one of their children took advantage of the close location and cheaper costs to jump-start their lives.

For their part, Rend Lake honored both the Maloney and the Rapp families by presenting Rose with an honorary degree in 1978 (the second in the college’s history). The Rapps were similarly honored in 1995 with the fifth honorary degree bestowed by RLC.

From an excerpt when Maloney was presented her honorary degree:

… A graduate already of the School of Hard Knocks, Mrs. Maloney received an Honorary Associate in Arts Degree for her critical role in seeing eight children graduate from RLC, and seven did so with high honors.

Recognized at the same time was 1978 grad Janice Loretta Maloney, one of only five Associate in Arts Degree recipients boasting perfect 4.0 grade-point averages.

 

Rose Maloney, 5th from the left, is pictured with her nine children, eight of which were RLC graduates at the time and Dr. Kenneth LaSalle, RLC Dean of Instruction. Maloney had just received the second honorary degree ever awarded by the college. (Rend Lake College photo)

Others in the Maloney household with Rend Lake College degrees are Geralyn Mary “Gerry” Maloney (A.A., Class of ’76), Thomas Gerard Maloney (A.A., ’75), Rita Gail Maloney (A.A., ’74), Ronald Maloney (A.A., ’73), Ellen Catherine Maloney (A.A., ’71), Theresa Ann Maloney (A.A., ’70) and Rosemarie Maloney (Mt. Vernon Community College / A.A., ’67).

“I was very honored and surprised,” Mrs. Maloney admitted later. “I’m pleased children can live at home and go to Rend Lake College.”

The family has lived in the RLC District 20 years, initially in Mt. Vernon and most recently in Dahlgren. Rose Maloney has worked the last three years for Hamilton County Telephone Cooperative as a Commercial Representative.

A member of St. John’s Church, she is Secretary of the Parish Council and participates in the church choir and St. Ann’s Altar Society. She also is a member of the Dahlgren Grade School PTO. When she is not enjoying the privilege of entertaining her two grandsons, she likes gardening, cooking and reading.

The youngest of her children, Sallie Maloney, has plans to attend Rend Lake College in the near future. Jan Maloney will continue her education at Eastern Illinois University; all seven older siblings went on to obtain their Bachelor’s Degrees.

Father Paul Maloney died in 1972.

Dr. Kenneth LaSalle, Dean of Instruction, told the Commencement audience Rose Maloney “is a mother, who with selfless devotion, has enabled her children to excel in the world of academics and to lead responsible lives in society.

“We would like to honor this tradition of excellence and love; more specifically, we honor the mother who has made it possible.”…

Fast forward to 1995…

… and a return trip to Dahlgren, where RLC graduate Anita Louise (Rapp) Brown (A.A., ’81) alerted Rend Lake College administrators to the almost-identical accomplishments of the Victor and Betty Rapp clan.

“At the time Rend Lake College was under construction, I remember taking a Sunday drive with my family to visit the campus. I remember my father remarking that, hopefully, all of us would attend Rend Lake College,” Brown indicated by letter.

The dream began with Karen Marie (Rapp) Perryman (A.A., ’77), and continued through Deborah Ann (Rapp) Rubenacker (A.A., ’78), Susan Elizabeth (Rapp) Mikel (A.A., ’80), Anita Louise (Rapp) Brown, David John Rapp (A.A., ’83), Paul J. Rapp (A.A.S. in Ag Production and Management, ’85), John W. Rapp (A.A.S. in Ag Production and Management, ’87) and Vickie Elizabeth Rapp (A.S., ’95).

And as if that were not enough, add to the family total in-laws – RLC grads Randy Rubenacker (’78) and Chassity Simmons Rapp (’92).

Rubenacker, of course, has gone on to sit on the Rend Lake College Board of Trustees and the Rend Lake College Foundation Board.

Victor and Betty Rapp, surrounded by their proud family of Rend Lake College graduates, were presented Honorary Degrees during the 28th Annual Commencement program Friday evening, May 12, 1995, by Dr. Stephen B. Tietz, RLC Vice President.

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, Slider

Pleasant Valley Baptist Church celebrates 150 years today

August 20, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

 

THOMPSONVILLE, IL – The Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist Church, between Thompsonville and Galatia will celebrate 150 years of continuous service to the Lord in their homecoming service this afternoon at 1:30 P.M.

The church will have Sunday School and Morning Worship.  They will have an old fashioned dinner after the services.

Sons of the Father will be in concert in the afternoon service.  The West Frankfort group recently announced their retirement from the road.  Les and Chris Snyder will still continue in the group, and sing locally.

Don Kragness, who was a music director in several local schools and churches will replace Brent Snyder.  Brent recently accepted a position of Minister of Worship at Calvary Baptist Church in Alton.

The church attendance is approximately 30 at Pleasant Valley.  The Southern Baptist congregation is members of the Franklin Baptist Association, and the Illinois Baptist State Association.  The church is pastored by Mark Cockrum of Galatia.

The church has recently added a fellowship hall and bathrooms on the ground floor.

The congregation would love to have you.  Just follow the signs going north off of Route 34 near the Saline/Franklin County line.

In the days of church closures, this is a testimony to the faithfulness of this congregation to the Lord.  Being a Southern Baptist myself, I believe the rural country churches are the backbone of our convention, and in all denominations the country as a whole.

 

Filed Under: Featured, Slider, Thompsonville News

A “mixed bag” of reports about eclipse traffic so far

August 20, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

I-57 southbound between the Sesser and Benton exits yesterday afternoon. (Tanyah Eubanks photo)

During a lot of winter weather events, it seems that Southern Illinois sits on the line of receiving rain/snow/sleet.  Over the years WSIL-TV Chief Meteorologist Jim Rasor has used the term “mixed bag of precipitation”.  It seems like local businesses are reporting the same thing.

Leigh Caldwell, co-host of the WJPF morning news watch with Tom Miller, sent out a plea on social media to the locals.  She stated, there was no problem with traffic between Carterville and Carbondale.  She went to Carbondale twice during the day.  She said that local businesses were dead and requested that everyone in Southern Illinois get out and enjoy the local festivals.

River Radio, especially WJPF, has committed to give people that are residents of Southern Illinois and tourists up to the minute news coverage about the eclipse.

There have been reports of traffic tie-ups for days in the Pacific Northwest, trying to get a good viewing spot to see the eclipse. Accu-weather.com has the area rated as good in that region, with Southern Illinois and most of the Midwest rated as fair.  I am wondering if that resulted in less traffic.

There was an SUV that caught fire on Interstate 57, just north of the Johnston City exit around mid morning.  The above photo was taken yesterday afternoon on I-57 between the Sesser and Benton exits.

On the other side of the coin, there were reports of traffic and local business being busier than usual.  Mindy Vanfossan of Hometown T-Shirts and Graphics said they had a very busy day yesterday.  It was (and maybe still is) one of the few places with eclipse glasses still.

Jim Emberton, of the Zeigler Police department, stated the town had around a 50% increase in traffic yesterday, with a lot of out of state plates in the city.

WSIL-TV said that Mary Lou’s grill, which is on the north side of the strip in Carbondale, was very busy, after a summer that was slow.  If there are some tourists that read this, the food there is awesome, especially the biscuits and gravy in a nostalgic setting.

Channel 3 also had another report the campgrounds are filling up quickly.

Personally, I feel the biggest of traffic for Franklin County will be tomorrow afternoon after the eclipse, until around noon on Tuesday.  I will be monitoring the situation closely until then.

 

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

Heartland Eclipse 2017: expect temperature changes

August 19, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/36166801/heartland-eclipse-2017-expect-temperature-changes#

KFVS Meteorologists Brian Alowrth left, and Bryan McCormick right, sporting eclipse glasses in the First Alert Weather Center. (KFVS TV-Photo)

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (From the KFVS =TV Meterologists.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

How much will temperatures fall during the eclipse?

When we give ‘temperatures’ during the weather forecast, we are talking about the temperature of the air.

During the daytime hours, the air is heated mainly by contact with the ground surface.
When the eclipse begins, incoming solar radiation will gradually be reduced to zero, and then will slowly increase again after the totality.

At some point, this will result in a cooling of the ground surface and a drop in air temperatures, but meteorologists are not certain just how much.

The consensus here among the KFVS weather team is that our temperatures will slowly drop somewhere between 5 and 10 degrees depending on where you are watching.

Filed Under: Featured, Slider

Inflatables, Big Truck Day highlight RLCF Children’s Center area at Warrior Fest

August 19, 2017 By Leave a Comment

ReAnne Palmer – Rend Lake College Public Information

Parents and children lined up to climb into tractors and big trucks of all sizes during Warrior Fest in 2016. In addition to Big Truck Day, the RLC Foundation Children’s Center also plans to host free events and a silent auction this year.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

INA, IL –Spend the afternoon playing, learning, and exploring Rend Lake College’s campus with the whole family in the children’s area of Warrior Fest and Preview Day. The activities, hosted by the RLC Foundation Children’s Center (RLCFCC), will be held from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 on the Ina campus.

The RLCFCC will feature many free, popular items from past years, including a number of inflatables manned by RLC AmeriCorps students and Big Truck Day. At Big Truck Day, popular vehicles and equipment will return from years past, including tow trucks, dump trucks, fire trucks, police squad vehicles, ambulances, backhoes, combines, tractors, cement mixers, and much more.

Brooke May, RLCFCC Director, said Big Truck Day is always a highlight because it gives the children a chance to climb inside and play with out-of-the-ordinary vehicles, plus speak with the professionals who man them.

“It is important for the kids to get hands-on experience, because children learn through doing and seeing. When a child gets to touch the equipment, climb on it, and ask questions directly of the person who operates the equipment, it becomes a real, exciting experience,” said May. “Each child will remember climbing on a huge combine, rather than simply reading about one in a book.”

The children’s area also features several free events. RLC’s Project CHILD will offer car seat safety checks for parents and Dental Safari will be available for dental checks. A silent auction will line the hallways of the Academic Building to raise funds for updating security cameras at the RLCFCC.

Throughout the day, parents of students who attend or wish to attend the Children’s Center will also have a great chance to meet the center’s teachers and staff. A pre-registration sign up for potential students in the spring will also be available. The RLCF Children’s Center has been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children for more than a decade.

For additional information about the children’s events or Big Truck Day, contact Brooke May at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1393 or mayb@rlc.edu.

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

Relief pitcher Josh Lucas purchased from Memphis (AAA)

August 19, 2017 By Leave a Comment

RHP Mike Mayers optioned to Memphis (AAA)

Press Release From The St. Louis Cardinals

Josh Lucas has gone 24-17 with a 3.42 in 192 career Minor League appearances. (AP photo)

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Josh Lucas from triple-A Memphis and optioned right-handed pitcher Mike Mayers (pronounced MY-ers) to Memphis following Friday night’s game.

Lucas, 26, the Cardinals 21st round draft pick out of Lakeland (Fla.) High School in the 2010 draft, will be making his Major League debut when he appears in his first game with St. Louis.
The 6-5, 205-pound reliever has posted an 8-1 record with a 3.34 ERA over 43 appearances, converting 14-of-17 saves. He ranks T-4th in the Pacific Coast League in saves (14), T-6th in wins (8) and T-11th in appearances (43), while striking out 65 batters in 56.1 innings.

The Redbirds’ most recent closer, Lucas has had 16 appearances of four outs or more with 11 of 2.0 innings. He’s stranded 13-of-15 inherited runners, induced five double plays and has only issued nine walks. He received an invitation to Major League Spring Training in 2017 and allowed just two hits to 17 total batters faced in five appearances.

Mayers, 26, was recalled on Friday before his option to Memphis following the game.
Lucas will wear uniform No. 77.

Filed Under: Slider, Sports

SUV Fire on Northbound I-57 between West Frankfort and Johnston City

August 19, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Thank you Connie Sieveking for use of the photo

by Steve Dunford

JOHNSTON CITY, IL-  Approximately one half hour ago, Williamson County Fire Protection district was called to an SUV fire, north of the Johnston City Exit in the Northbound lane.

Traffic is currently moving slow on Northbound I-57,  Please use an alternate route.

Please follow franklincounty-news.com for traffic and other information during this eclipse weekend.

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

Heat indicies approaching triple digits this weekend…mostly sunny for eclipse

August 19, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Special Weather Statement for Southern Illinois

…Heat Index values in the upper 90s to around 100 degrees
expected each afternoon from Sunday through Tuesday…

A weak high pressure ridge will build in across the area later
today and persist across most of the Quad State region through
early Tuesday. Only small chances for rain are expected during
this time period.

The combination of warm temperatures in upper 80s to lower 90s,
combined with increasing humidity and light winds, will set the
stage for afternoon heat index values topping out in the upper 90s
to around 100 degrees each afternoon from Sunday through Tuesday.

The highest heat index values, between 100 and 103 degrees, are
expected over southeast Missouri and extreme southwest Illinois
and Kentucky on Sunday and Monday.

The time period of greatest concern for higher heat index values
will be from 1 pm through 5 pm CDT each day.

With large numbers of people expected to be outdoors from Sunday
through Tuesday, the potential for heat related illness may
increase, especially for those not accustomed to the typical heat
and humidity of late August.

Be sure to drink plenty of water and find opportunities to keep
cool in the shade, when possible.

The heat should move out of the area later on Tuesday, as showers
and thunderstorms usher in cooler air for the middle of next week

Hazardous Weather outlook

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected over parts of
southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, and west Kentucky, mainly
during the morning hours. A few storms may producing damaging winds
and hail, as well as produce brief heavy rainfall and dangerous
lightning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Sunday through Friday

There is a small chance for thunderstorms over southeast Missouri
early Sunday morning.

Heat index values will rise into the upper 90s to around 100
degrees each afternoon from Sunday through Tuesday.

There will be thunderstorm chances for the entire area, mainly
Tuesday and Tuesday night. A few strong to severe thunderstorms
cannot be ruled out, with damaging wind gusts and large hail the
main hazards. Locally heavy rainfall will also be possible.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation is not anticipated at this time.

Seven Day Forecast

Today
Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 9am. Sunny, with a high near 88. Light west wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 67. Calm wind.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 70. Light south southeast wind.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 6 mph in the morning.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. South southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming north northwest after midnight.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. North wind 6 to 8 mph.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 60. North northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 80. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Northeast wind around 6 mph.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 79. East northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.

 

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

Home total loss in Zeigler fire

August 18, 2017 By Leave a Comment

WSIL -TV photo

 

by Steve Dunford

ZEIGLER, IL  Several fire departments responded to a house fire this afternoon on 220 Orchard Street in Zeigler around 5:15 p.m. this afternoon.

Departments from Royalton, Christopher, Coello, West Frankfort, Buckner, West City, Hurst, and Abbott EMS provided mutual aid, as it was a MABAS box alarm.

Cause is undetermined at this time.  I know the family experienced a total loss and has small children.  If there is a drop-off point for clothes, or any type of fundraising set up, I will pass that information along.

Information from, WSIL-TV, Southern Illinois Fire Incidents, and Southern Illinois Fire Dispatch contributed to this story.

UPDATE 2:00 p.m. Saturday, 8/19:  I spoke with the mother of the family, Amanda Stoops about mid morning.  She told me that the family lost everything.  They are in need of boy’s clothes, sizes 5-6 and 8-10, women’s sizes 9-11, and men’s pants 38×34 and large shirts.  You may drop these and any other household items off at 224 Orchard Street in Zeigler.

 

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