Rend Lake Resort to re-open in the fall

http://www.register-news.com/news/rend-lake-resort-reopening/article_8186bfcc-5140-11e7-9ba4-1b90e88b52e6.html

State Representative Terri Bryant speaking at the press conference this afternoon, with State Senator Dale Fowler left and State Representative John Cavaletto, right. (Mt. Vernon Register-News photo)

WHITTINGTON, IL — (Tesa Glass – Mt. Vernon Register News.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

The Rend Lake Resort at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area will be reopened.

“There has been a lot of interest show in the resort since it’s close,” said Brent Krebs, Illinois Department of Natural Resources chief of staff. A tremendous amount of work has gone into this.”

The facility closed in December 2016 after the state terminated its lease with Rend Lake Resort, Inc.

Krebs said Wednesday afternoon the safety issues and others will be addressed through a partnership between the state and the new lessees. Official information on the request for bids states “It should be noted that this facility is offered ‘AS IS.’ The agency makes no guarantees or representation in regard to the condition of any of the resort facility or contents thereof

REND LAKE FISHING REPORT

LARGEMOUTH BASS – Good, using minnows spinner baits, worms, and black and blue jigs.  Reports of fish being caught around Jackie Branch, Sandusky Cove, and below the dam. Fish in shallow bays near brush cover and bushes. Fish around bridges and along the rocks 14” minimum length limit, 6 daily creel limit. 1 fish daily creel limit in PONDS 14” minimum length.

CRAPPIE –Excellent, using meal worms. Small & medium minnows. Quarter-ounce pink and white tub jigs. Shallow water!  Fish attractors!  From shore, fish near structures, hot spots are Jackie Branch, Sandusky, Sailboat Harbor, Marcum coves, and Ina Boat Ramp. Try the Jackie Branch Breakwater and along Mine 21 Road. Fish the main lake drop off areas.  25 fish daily creel limit with no more than 10 fish 10 inches or longer

BLUEGILL- good using small jigs, worms, meal worms, wax worms, crickets.  From shore try Sailboat Harbor and Mine 21 Road. Try fishing shallow with crickets, worms or small jigs. Fish in the back of necks and on flat shallow banks and on the rocks.  10 fish daily creel limit in PONDS.

CHANNEL CATFISH – Excellent using large minnows, leeches, Hoss’s Hawg Bait, night crawlers, and Sonny’s stink bait.  Try leeches in moving water.  Drift fish the flats. Set line 3-4’ from the shore over rocks. Try the Waltonville Dam, Turnip Patch, Jackie Branch, and North Sandusky Day Use Area.  6 fish daily creel limit in PONDS. Jugs must be attended at all times while fishing.

WHITE BASS Good, using in-line spinners, jig and curly tail grubs.    Reports of fish being caught around the 154 bridges. Fish around along the rocks and drop-offs Fish in shallow bays near brush cover and bushes. 20 fish creel limit. No more than 3 fish 17” or longer daily

Information as of:  06/13/2017 LAKE LEVEL: 408.50      AVERAGE POOL FOR THIS DATE: 407.91     WATER TEMP:  76°F

Use of a minnow seine, cast net, or shad scoop for bait collecting within 1000 yards downstream of the Rend Lake dam and spillway is prohibited.

Maps of the Fish Attractor tree locations along with GPS readings are available at the Rend Lake Corps of Engineers Project Office.  Contact Randy Cordray for more information at (618) 724-2493.

Scalise shooter dead: lived in the Metro East

He belonged to several GOP hate groups

http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article156065789.html

Hodgkinson’s mugshot in 2006; Provided to the Belleville News Democrat by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s office

BELLEVILLE, IL – (Dana Reich – Belleville News Democrat.)  Please click on the link for this and other stories about the shooter.  Here is an excerpt below)

The shooter who was killed during gunfire at practice for a congressional baseball game Wednesday morning was from Belleville.

The shooter was James T. Hodgkinson of Belleville, who belonged to a number of anti-Republican groups, including one called “Terminate the Republican Party.”

Here is a listing of the groups Hodgkinson was a part of:

▪  “The Road to Hell is Paved with Republicans”

▪  “Donald Trump is not my President”

▪  “President Bernie Sanders”

“Illinois Berners United to Resist Trump”

▪  “Boycott the Republican Party”

▪  “Expose Republican Fraud”

▪  “Terminate the Republican Party”

 

NWS Paducah issues statement regarding high heat indicies this afternoon

Below is a special weather statement and the hazardous weather outlook for Southern Illinois.

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
713 AM CDT Wed Jun 14 2017

…HEAT INDEX VALUES NEAR 100 DEGREES LIKELY THIS AFTERNOON…

High pressure aloft will bring another hot and humid day to the
region. Temperatures climbing into the lower half of the 90s this
afternoon will combine with high humidity levels to push heat
index values up to near the century mark. In fact, readings could
be up close to 100 degrees for several hours between noon and 5
or 6 PM.

Those working or playing outdoors today should make sure to have
plenty of water on hand. Stay hydrated and take frequent breaks
from outdoor activity. Prevent vehicle heat related deaths. Look
before you lock!

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY
351 AM CDT Wed Jun 14 2017

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

Heat indices will top out near 100 this afternoon.

A few isolated thunderstorms will also be possible today, mainly
during the heat of the afternoon. Lightning and brief heavy rain
would be the main thunderstorm hazard.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Thursday through Tuesday

Scattered thunderstorms will be more likely on Thursday and then
again Sunday, at which time a few isolated severe storms cannot be
ruled out. Lightning, locally heavy rain, hail and damaging wind
gusts will be the main thunderstorm hazards. Otherwise, isolated
thunderstorms cannot be ruled out Friday and Saturday.

BREAKING: House Whip Scalise, security detail shot at baseball practice; suspect in custody

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jun/14/steve-scalise-aides-shot-baseball-practice-virgini/

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of La., accompanied by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif., reads a letter from a constituent concerning health care, Tuesday, May 2, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington following the Republican Caucus meeting. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

ALEXANDRIA, VA – (Stephen Dinan and Dave Boyer – The Washington Times.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

A gunman opened fire on a group of congressional Republicans practicing baseball in Alexandria Wednesday morning, wounding a senior GOP lawmaker and multiple other people.

Rep. Steve Scalise, Louisiana Republican, was shot in the hip. Several Capitol Police officers were also said to be victims. Mr. Scalise, as the House majority whip, has protection by U.S. Capitol Police.
The gunman, armed with a rifle, was reportedly shot by a member of Mr. Scalise’s security detail, who had been hit before retuning fire.
Alexandria police confirmed multiple shootings and victims being transported to the hospital. Witnesses saw a helicopter come in to take at least one of the victims away.
The following link below is to a corresponding story in which the shooter asked if there were Republicans or Democrats on the field.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jun/14/rep-ron-desantis-shooting-man-asked-if-republicans/

Paramedics give tips on how to help them help you

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/35647911/paramedics-give-tips-on-how-to-help-them-help-you

BENTON, IL – (Roni LeForge -WSIL TV.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

It can be hard to think straight when someone you love is in the middle of a medical crisis, but if multiple people are home when 911 is called, paramedics suggest getting all hands on deck to help the person in need.

Paramedic and Crew Leader John Owens with Abbott EMS said pets can cause problems for first responders. That’s why he asks us to make sure cats, dogs and any other pets are out of the way when they arrive.

He said instead of standing by, there are plenty of other ways to help, like making sure the porch light is on, medications are gathered, doors are unlocked and cars are out of the driveway. Depending on where you are, you may be getting a firetruck, police car and an ambulance.

Owens said by following these tips, you can help get your loved one to the hospital faster because every second paramedics are finding their way around these obstacles are seconds they could be helping the person who’s in need.

FOWLER, SEVERIN TO HOST FREE MARION SENIOR FAIR

HARRISBURG, IL – State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) and State Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) are hosting their first annual free Senior Fair at the Marion HUB Rec Center on June 27 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m

Blood pressure screenings will be conducted, and oral health specialists are also going to be available to provide free screenings for seniors. A mental health professional will also be on-site to meet with individuals to discuss depression and anxiety. Grip strength testing and some limited immunizations will also be available.

All interested senior citizens in the Marion area are invited to attend for information and demonstrations on important quality-of-life issues.

The Illinois Treasurer’s Office will have the I-Cash database available for interested residents to look for unclaimed checks or property.  Government agencies will be on hand to provide information on scams and fraud that target senior citizens, prescription and insurance programs, veterans’ benefits, stroke awareness, immunizations and many other programs.

Free refreshments and a door prize will be drawn for at the end of the event.

What: Sen. Fowler and Rep. Severin Free Senior Fair 2017
When: Tuesday, June 27, 2017, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Where: Marion HUB Rec Center, 917 W. Main, Marion


For further information about the event, contact Sen. Fowler’s office at 618-294-8951 or Rep. Severin’s office at 618-440-5090.

Mt. Vernon Teen dies in I-57 accident yesterday

http://www.register-news.com/news/teen-dies-in-accident/article_d68d46ac-4f84-11e7-9eec-87e4f52f824d.html?

Tristen Sharp, Left – Emma Caserotti -Right (Photo submitted to the Mt. Vernon Register-News)

INA, IL – (Tesa Glass – Mt Vernon Register-News.  Please click on link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

An accident on Interstate 57 at the 81 mile post between Big Muddy River Correctional Center and Rend Lake College has claimed the life of a Mt. Vernon teen.

Eighteen-year-old Emma Caserotti died from injuries sustained in the accident, which happened at 12:56 p.m. on Sunday. Her passenger, 18-year-old Tristen Sharp, received major injuries and was flown to a St. Louis hospital for treatment.

According to information from the Illinois State Police, a 2006 Mazda driven by a 25-year-old man from Energy was going north on the Interstate when, for unknown reasons, he crossed the median and went into the southbound lanes of traffic, hitting the 2016 Jeep driven by Caserotti head on. The driver of the Mazda and his passenger, a 22-year-old woman from Carbondale, received minor injuries in the crash

ADULT LEARNERS RECOGNIZED AT GED GRADUATION

– A dozen adult learners walked across the stage during the 37th Annual GED Graduation Ceremony at Rend Lake College. Participating students received a certificate to recognize their accomplishments. Those participating, from left, were: Daniel Spangler, Paula Lamke, Elizabeth Hodge, Heather Powell, Tammy Overbey, Samantha Kokoska, Reanna Todd, Thomas Brooks, Nicole Mullins, Johanna Vaughan, Alicia Sansone, Kristina Russel. Click on the image for a larger view.
(Reece Rutland/RLC Public Information)

Benton brings back Farm City Day after 21 years

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/35636494/benton-hosts-farm-city-day

WSIL, _TV

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

Saturday, a festival not held for 21 years was brought back to life in Benton.

“I remember it being fun, exciting, community oriented,” Steve Browning said. “It brought a lot of people together.”

After consulting with the Franklin County Farm Bureau, Browning organized the first City Farm Day in more than two decades.

The day, meant to celebrate the farm industry in Illinois, brought hundreds of people to the Benton Public square for a festival of food, fun and all things farming.

 

 

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News