Remnants of Cindy will arrive this afternoon

June 22, 2017 By Leave a Comment

By Steve Dunford

Remnants of Tropical Storm Cindy should arrive sometime this afternoon.  It will bring heavy rains to Southern Illinois.  Here in Franklin County, most models are showing 1″ to 1.5″ inches of rain.  Precipitation totals will be heavier to the south.

The heaviest rain and thunderstorms associated with the remnants will take a northeasterly path through Arkansas, and possibly as far north as the Missouri Bootheel, then take a sharp turn to the right through the state of Tennessee.

This is a system in which 25 miles could make a huge difference in the amount of precipitation that is received.

Today from Route 13 south is under a marginal (level 1 of 5) risk of severe weather.  Tomorrow all of Southern  Illinois will be under a marginal risk.

Below is the hazardous weather outlook for the region.

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY
331 AM CDT Thu Jun 22 2017

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

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

Thunderstorms are possible with increasing rain chances later
today and tonight. Heavy rainfall will be the primary storm
related hazard through the period. Any strong storm chances
include a marginal risk of severe storms, with an isolated weak
tornado a possibility mainly this afternoon or evening, during
the maximum heating and instability time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Friday through Wednesday

The most potent chance for heavy rain comes with showers and
storms Friday afternoon and early evening. The moisture from
Tropical Storm Cindy will combine with an approaching cold front
to peak this heavy rain chance and the potential for flooding.
Storm total rainfall amounts should average from 2 to 4 inches
across western Kentucky, with 1 to 3 inches to the north and west.
Locally higher amounts are possible with persistent or repeat
thunderstorms. The marginal risk of a storm becoming severe
includes as the primary hazard isolated weak tornadoes.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

While spotter activation is not anticipated, spotters are
encouraged to relay their precipitation amounts and any possible
flooding to the NWS, or their nearest law enforcement or
emergency services relay point.

 

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, Slider

No budget movement on 1st day of special session; Madigan says House nears plan that is close to GOP’s

June 22, 2017 By Leave a Comment

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/no-budget-movement-on-st-day-of-special-session-madigan/article_95c971be-56c7-11e7-ba47-a3c57d1e9109.html#utm_

SPRINGFIELD, IL –  (Greg Bishop – Illinois News Network.  Please click link above for the full story, and a press conference from house speaker Michael Madigan.   Here is an excerpt)

The two leaders in the Illinois House differ on the recent history of state’s two-year budget impasse, with Republicans asking House Democrats to show their work.

With an unfunded pension liability of more than $130 billion, the backlog of unpaid bills topping $15 billion, no certainty for Illinois road projects, public schools and multi-state lottery, and a sputtering economy with continued out-migration, the first day of special session ended without any action on a budget or reforms to grow the economy. The House ended in less than eight minutes without any action taken on a budget or reforms.

State Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, asked pointed questions Wednesday.

“Where is the Speaker? Where’s his plan?” Righter asked. “How does he balance the budget? How does he get Illinois’ economy going? Where is the Speaker?”

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, State News

Illinois Legislature passes resolution honoring Z-R Coaches vs. Cancer

June 21, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

From State Represenative Dave Severin’s office

ZEIGLER, IL –  In each of  the six high schools in the county there are some super fans that stick out.  At Z-R it is Randall Risley, or Double R as my good friend Tom Wheeler has me calling him.  I don’t know if I have ever been to a Zeigler-Royalton sporting event that I did not see him.  I can go all the way back to the 1980’s when I slid on the jersey of the Thompsonville Tigers.

Since I have completed my second year of covering high school sports.  I have had the opportunity to be around Randall a lot.  We would cross paths at the Christopher Turkey Tournament, the Sesser-Valier Holiday tournament, and this fall as my son was an offensive lineman for the C-Z-R Bearcats.

I had the opportunity to see him at several games, and he always graciously provides me with pics of the Tornadoes.

Z-R coaches vs. Cancer was founded in the 2009-10 school year by Risley, and Tornadoes Head basketball coach Matt Morgan.  Both lost their fathers to cancer at an early age.  I can easily identify, as I lost my mother in her mid 50’s to lung cancer.

Here is a side note I would like to share.  Six years ago today Matt Morgan was hired as the Tornadoes basketball coach.  He has always been very approachable, and I am proud to call him my friend.

In the seven year time frame Zeigler-Royalton High School has raised over $110,000 for the cause.  This is for a high school that over the years had an average enrollment of around 160.  For the upcoming school year, their enrollment has increased to 180.

Z-R leads the state in this time frame, and they are one of the top schools in the nation in fundraising for Coaches-Vs. Cancer.

State Representative Dave Severin with Zeigler-Royalton High School Principal Quent Hamilton. (from Rep. Severin’s office)

The Illinois House of Representatives passed Resolution #379, sponsored by Rep. Dave Severin (R – Benton).  The resolution will be posted at the bottom of the story. 

Rep Severin was at Art Brandon Gymnasium to present the resolution to Risley and the rest of the individuals that worked so hard in the community.  Severin made the following statement.   “Zeigler-Royalton Coaches vs. Cancer is an incredible group.” Rep. Severin said, “Zeigler-Royalton community is neither the biggest nor the wealthiest but somehow, year after year, they are one of the top fundraisers in all of Illinois. The numbers speak for themselves and what Zeigler-Royalton has been able to do is nothing short of amazing.”

In accepting the award, Risley had the following remarks, “The Zeigler-Royalton community is small but we are proud to say we have had a bigger impact than any other high school in the state since we started,” Risley said. “I really appreciate the recognition from Representative Severin as we are all so proud of what we have been able to accomplish.”

Congratulations to the Z-R community for continuing great things for a great cause. Watch for postings for fundraisers for Coaches-vs.-Cancer in the upcoming school year.

From the Z-R Coaches vs. Cancer Facebook page.

 

Filed Under: Featured, Royalton News, Slider, Zeigler News

franklincounty-news.com now on Twitter

June 21, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

This morning, I turned my personal Twitter account into the franklincounty-news.com Twitter page.

You can Follow me at Franklin County News@FranklinCoHoops.  I could not change this over.   I will be putting links from the website and retweet some things.

The account is linked to my personal Facebook page.  I will delete the links back to Facebook immediately.  There would be a lot of duplication.

This is one avenue of expansion.  The page is growing by leaps and bounds.  On January 1, there were 3,252 likes on the page.  As of now, there are 4,553.

There are several people that I know that does not have a Facebook account, but has a Twitter one.  The website will now reach them.

On Twitter I will put press releases and stories I write. There will not be any links.

I am not a trained journalist.  So I am a work in progress.  I am starting to develop stories from a different angle.  I take factual information from several sources and put my own spin and thoughts to this.  If you check out the story I wrote on the Congressional elections last night is an example.

I observe things from the media.  I picked this up from watching two television anchors.  When I lived in Sesser, NewsChannel 15 was on our cable, out of Mt. Carmel.  Kyle Peach, who is the chair of the radio and television department at Wabash Valley College, had a 15 minute news cast that replayed for two hours.  I would watch it for state news.  He would cite the source and put things in his own words.

The second I picked up on yesterday.  Carly O’ Keefe the noon news anchor  will not read from the teleprompter and give a 15 second editorial.

I am a conservative.  No matter if someone is a Republican or Democrat, the values of Franklin County are mainly conservative.  I am not saying this to be arrogant, but the majority of the people in this county, think like I do.

I have never voted a straight ticket in my life, but at the same time I have never voted for a Democratic presidential candidate.

 

Over the last six months you have been merciful to my blunders, and allowed me to grow..  I have picked a lot of people’s minds in the media.  So many have been gracious to help me out.  It is a work in progress.

Three of my passions are news, weather, and sports.  I have never been more fulfilled in any job that I have worked.  Jim Muir is still the owner/publisher of this site.  He approached me right before he took office as Circuit Clerk in the county taking over the day to day operations.   He has given me the free reign to take things and run with it.

I have picked some minds of some account executives on selling.  All of them have given me the same advice.  The number one selling point is growth.   They basically said keep the page full daily, keep growing,  and advertising will come.  I am in this for the long haul.

If you want an inexpensive way to reach approximately 30,000 people weekly and climbing daily, give me a call at 937-0253 or 513-1274, send me a message on Facebook, or e-mail me at sdunford1970@hotmail.com.

This site is updated seven days a week.   I took Sunday off for a while.  I have reconsidered, the news cycle does not stop.  I am going to keep a window of a few hours on Sunday afternoon between church to unwind, watch the Cardinals and NASCAR.   At the present time, this is the only daily publication in the county.

Also, I would like to know what is going on in each community in the county, what is happening in the nine school districts in the county, to just sum it all up, be all about Franklin County.  If you send something to me, it will be published.

Thank you all for the phenomenal growth.  Remember to follow the website on twitter.  I will do an article in a few days sharing the functions of the site, since several new people are following the page.

This is my conversation with you, the reader, keeping you informed of what is going on with the page.  Because of you, I am not typing to myself.

Again, thank you to each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart. You are why I am here.

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, Slider

Harrisburg clerk stands her ground, says no to robber

June 20, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.dailyregister.com/article/20170620/news/170629976/

HARRISBURG, IL –  I am going to take a different approach to this link.  Harrisburg has been experiencing a lot of crime.  Since the close proximity to the east side of the county, I have been sharing things.

Sloan Street Market, Harrisburg. (From the store’s Facebook page.)

The link above is to a story from Travis DeNeal of the Harrisburg Register.  Yesterday afternoon, there was an attempted robbery at the Sloan Street Market in Harrisburg.

A brave store clerk by the name of Mildred told the attempted thief no when he told her to open the cash register.  She told someone in the store to call 911 and he left.

Kudos to Mildred for standing her ground.   This reminded me of some Franklin County folklore I would like to share.

This is about Edgar Johnston, who used to own Edgar and Amy’s north of Benton on Route 37.  This happened in the late 70’s.

I got to know him when my dad pastored Rescue Church when I was a kid.  On his 8oth birthday he challenged every kid in the church to a foot race doing around a fifty yard dash.  He would give anyone $20 that beat him.  A few challenged him and he did not have to pay up.

He had a young kid that attempted to rob him one time.  He tried swiping a straw hat, sunglasses, a Carhart jacket and some goodies.

Edgar met him at the door.  He said son are you going to pay for them.  The robber said what are you going to do about it.  Edgar hauled off and punched him and  knocked him cold.

The next move was he called the police.  State Trooper Don “Frog” Eubanks heard it on his radio.  He was on the scene in two minutes.

When the kid came to, he wanted to press charges on Edgar.  Don said OK, but you will have to admit getting whipped by an 80 year old man.  He did not press charges, and went on his way with a shiner.

Like Edgar, Mildred stood her ground.  I believe the Lord was looking after her yesterday.

 

 

 

 

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

Next Southern Illinois Honor Flight coming on Oct. 17

June 20, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/news/20170616/next-southern-illinois-honor-flight-coming-on-oct-17

Reception for the last honor flight at the Veterans Airport in Marion. (WSIU-TV photo.)

MARION, IL – (Jerrica Jordan – Marion Republican.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Several veterans huddled inside the Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois Wednesday, eager to hear the details of the next Honor Flight to Washington D.C., coming on Oct. 17.

Robert Swafford of West Frankfort said he has never seen his memorial. He spent 16 months with the Army in Korea, in 1953-54.

Swafford learned about the Honors Flight program through his daughter, Janet Wood, who accompanied him to the announcement. She sat nearby and filled out his application.

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

Toler Cinema sold to investment group

June 19, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

cinematreasures.org photo

BENTON, IL – Today, the former Toler Cinema building in Benton has been purchased from AMC.  The new investors have intentions to open a theater in the building.

I have just spoken with Maranda Rush, who broke the news earlier this evening on the social media page Talk Benton.  She is the former assistant manager of the theater, that closed on July 28, 2011.

After AMC purchased Kerasotes Theaters, AMC closed Toler and Cinema IV in Harrisburg a short time later.

The identity of the owners, and renovation plans will be released at a later date.  The investment group will be issuing a press release soon.  Please watch the website in the coming weeks for further information.

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

EARLY SQUIRREL HUNTING SEASON

June 19, 2017 By Leave a Comment

from Williamson County Tourism Bureau

If you can cope with the heat and mosquitos moving quietly, but swiftly, through the lush green of the brush and trees squirrel hunting is for you.  Giving a cursory glance into the overhead canopy it’s possible to find some squirrels for dinner.

Look for the yellow leaves.  This time of the year there is only one species of tree that has mature nuts, Hickory!

In late summer the first species of trees to change color is the hickory.  This change in color also means that it is dropping the hickory nuts that are a favorite with treetop rodents.  The bright yellow stands out in the southern forests among the other hardwoods that remain their summer green.

Within an hour drive for Williamson County there is an estimated half million acres open to free public hunting of squirrels.

 Squirrel season in southern Illinois begins August 1st.  A hot sticky task, it is the first chance hunters have to take to the woods and sharpen skills.  It is a time to sit tight and let the quarry give away his position.  Vocalizations are an important factor.

Because squirrels are difficult to spot in the treetop canopy, one cannot rely on sight alone to find a target.  A vocal squirrel is an aggravated one.  He will sound off and display a flickering tail as a threat to potential enemies or rivals.  The noise and tail movement give away his position.

Early season squirrels have a feast of food from which to choose.  The greedy little creatures are busy storing up food for the winter.  Hunters seek travel lanes from the nest to nearby food supplies.  Claw marks on the bark of trees are a sign of activity.

Another good location to find squirrels is near standing corn.  Squirrels love ripening corn and will raid fields if given the opportunity.

If the squirrels do not want to vocalize try a call.  Calling squirrels, unlike other game calling, is not to get the animal to come to the hunter.  Squirrel calling to aggravate the animal and get him to expose his position.

The two basic types of squirrel calls on the market consist of a reed call with a small rubber bellows attached and a squirrel whistle.

The hunter strikes the reed call on the bellows end making a clucking sound.  The idea is to imitate the sound of another squirrel trespassing on the territory of the quarry.  The resident’s response then gives away his position.

The whistle is to imitate the distress call of a youngster.  It is a small metal whistle.  As the hunter sucks air through it, he rattles branches or swats branch on the ground.  This imitates the sound of a hawk catching a squirrel.   The idea is to sound like a hawk striking and the squirrel crying out in fear.

The exact routine consists of five whistles with the first being longer than the following four.  The first whistle is about three quarters of a second and the rest about a half second each in length.  The hunter strikes the branch on the ground during the first three whistles and continues with the last two.  A green, leafy limb is best.

Calling works best in the morning after the squirrels have fed.  The little rascals become very excited and run around giving away their location.

Even if a squirrel is spotted, chances are that he will move quickly and the hunter will have to change positions.  Squirrels are notorious for moving around a tree keeping the trunk or limb between himself and the hunter.  A hunter in full camo can move around and get a good location for a shot.  It is best to move slowly.  When the squirrel is barking away, he does seem to lose any fear.

Early season squirrel hunting is a great getaway and a good way to tune up for the other upcoming hunting seasons.

For more information on lodging accommodations as well as outdoor activities in Williamson County, or to receive a free color Fishing Guide, contact VisitSI at 1602 Sioux Drive, Marion, IL 62959.  Call 800-GEESE-99 or email info@VisitSI.com.  Current information is also available online at www.VisitSI.com.

 

 

Filed Under: Slider, Sports

Slants win case- hope to Redskins owner given

June 19, 2017 By Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON, DC-  Back on January 15th, I ran a link to an editorial from George Will, that the US Patent and Trademark Office  was trying to get an alternative rock band in Seattle, The Slants to change their name because of racial overtones.

The band of all Asian descent, had their case heard in the supreme court today, and it was a 8-0 decision saying they can use the name.  Justice Neil Gorsuch did not vote on the issue.

There is a case at the federal appeals level about trying to force the Washington Redskins to change their mascot.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jun/19/supreme-court-says-government-cant-refuse-disparag/

Above is the link to today’s story that ran in the Washington Times.

Below is the link to the editorial ran on January 15, 2017, in the Washington Post.

This government office is trying to shut down nasty and naughty names

 

 

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, National News, Slider

Apartment fire in Benton today

June 19, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

 

Southern Illinois Fire Incidents photo

BENTON, IL –   Benton Firefighters were toned to 1412 Della St. (Behind Franklin Hospital) to an apartment fire this morning around 10:15 a.m.

The fire was contained, as only West City was called for mutual aid.  There was not a MABAS box alarm issued.

A spokesman for the Benton Fire Department says cause is undetermined at this time, and there is an undisclosed amount of damage.

Filed Under: Benton News, Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, Slider, West City News
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