Several FEMA campers to be scrapped by National Guard

A few of several campers at a Sparta scrapyard waiting for demolition. (Randolph County Journal photo)

A few of several campers at a Sparta scrapyard waiting for demolition. (Randolph County Journal photo)

SPARTA, IL (Travis Lott, Randolph County Journal. Please click to read the full story. Here is an excerpt.) There was some talk around Sparta recently about a large stock of campers being stored at Alton Materials scrap yard in Sparta. The campers were stored at the scrap yard by the Army National Guard, seemingly headed toward demolition. Questions arose in the community about the condition of the campers and why they were being scrapped. The County Journal spoke with a representative from the National Guard about the campers, who said that they were indeed going to be scrapped. “At this point, they are in a state of disrepair and not of any use,” said Lt. Col. Bradley Leighton. Leighton said the campers were originally issued by FEMA to be used for victims of Hurricane Katrina. They were deployed and used for a short time in the affected area of Louisiana.

Morthland ranked one of the top Christian Colleges in the US

Rachel Rabe (center) with Founder and Guild CEO Tim Morthland (left) and President Glenn Poshard (Right) (WSIL Photo)

Rachel Rabe (center) with Founder and Guild CEO Tim Morthland (left) and President Glenn Poshard (Right) (WSIL Photo)

WEST FRANKFORT, IL (Evie Allen WSIL-TV Please click link for the entire story and accompaying video. Here is an excerpt. Morthland College in West Frankfort has received high honors in an online magazine. The website Faith on View ranked the Christian college sixth in the nation. Friday, school leaders celebrated the honor with students. The site ranks 201 faith-based institutions with 250 undergraduate students or less. The school also celebrated former student Rachel Rabe’s accomplishments.

Avery fires two hit shutout against Carmi-White County on Friday

Benton's Zach Avery fires a two hitter against Carmi-White County on Friday.  (SI Prosepcts 16U Facebook page)

Benton’s Zach Avery fires a two hitter against Carmi-White County on Friday. (SI Prosepcts 16U Facebook page)

CARMI- (Carmi Times- Please click to read the full story. Here is an excerpt) Benton’s Zach Avery pitched all seven innings and held the CWC Bulldogs to four hits in a 4-0 win on Friday. The loss dropped the Bulldogs early-season record to 1-3. Justin Lamp got the start on the mound for the Bulldogs and pitched effectively also, but the Bulldogs were unable to give him any run support. Benton produced a run in the top of third and it appeared that the Bulldogs were about to strike back in the bottom of the inning when two-out hits by Easton Stewart and Bryce Northcott gave the Bulldogs a pair of speedy baserunners. The potential rally ended when Travis Black’s hard hit line drive was tracked down by the center fielder.

Severe weather threat for today

WPSD TV- Paducah KY graphic

WPSD TV- Paducah KY graphic

As you can see in the graphic above, Franklin County is split between the area of having a slight to a marginal risk for severe weather.

The main threat for today’s storms is damaging thunderstorm winds.  There might be some small hail.  The tornado threat at this time is minimal.

The main ingredient today will be instability.  We have a line of storms that are on top of us now.  These will be non severe with some rumbles of thunder.  If the sun comes out after these and juices the atmosphere,  the severe threat today will be much greater.

Here is the hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service in Paducah, KY

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight Thunderstorms are possible over all or part of the outlook area today and tonight. A few storms may become severe mainly this afternoon and evening with damaging winds and large hail being the primary hazards. A tornado or two is not out of the question. Otherwise locally heavy downpours and lightning will be the primary hazards.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Tuesday through Sunday Thunderstorms are possible over all or part of the outlook area Wednesday night, Thursday, and Thursday night. Widespread severe weather is not expected at this time. Locally heavy downpours and lightning will be the primary hazards.

From early this afternoon on, I will be able to keep you informed.  The Facebook page will be the best way to receive watches and warnings.  I will try to put them on the website as well if time allows. -sd

South Carolina was never supposed to get this far, and neither was Frank Martin

South Carolina coach Frank Martin is a South Carolina legend, and fastly becoming a household name nationwide.  (USA Today photo.)

South Carolina coach Frank Martin is a South Carolina legend, and fastly becoming a household name nationwide. (USA Today photo.)

NEW YORK, NY (Matt Norlander-CBS sports. Please click on link to read the full story and accompanying videos. Here is an excerpt) Too often, we attach Cinderella sports stories to teams, not people. Ironic, given the origin story of the metaphor at hand. Francisco Jose Martin, a child of Cuban exiles, now a man at 51 years of age and having accomplished the implausible by bringing the University of South Carolina to its first Final Four, is a tale never before seen in college basketball. A coach mostly known for his scowl and howl has a story miles deeper than the outward persona that overtakes him every time he steps onto the sideline. “We all have our paths, there is no A B to C, but Frank’s story is a pretty fascinating one,” Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy said. “He wasn’t a great athlete, didn’t have a ready-made path or a family member or whatever in the profession. His path was one of grinding and working.”

Slight risk of severe weather for tomorrow Monday

day2otlk_0600327The Storm Prediction center in Norman OK has Southern Illinois placed under a slight risk of severe weather for tomorrow.  The slight risk boundary runs from points south and east from Chester to Mt. Carmel.

The main threat, for tomorrow afternoon and evening, will be large hail and damaging winds.  Here is the latest hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service in Paducah KY.

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight Thunderstorms are possible over all or part of the outlook area late tonight. Locally heavy downpours and lightning will be the primary hazards.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Monday through Saturday Thunderstorms are possible over all or part of the outlook area Monday through Monday evening. A few storms may become severe during the afternoon and evening hours with damaging winds and large hail being the primary hazards. Otherwise Locally heavy downpours and lightning will be the primary hazards. Thunderstorms are possible over all or part of the outlook area from Wednesday night through Thursday. Locally heavy downpours and lightning will be the primary hazards.

Please follow the Facebook page throughout the day for updates on the potential for tomorrow.

 

Awesome scene after Baylor-South Carolina Sweet 16 game

The post-game prayer between South Carolina and Baylor. (The Wildcard.com)

The post-game prayer between South Carolina and Baylor. (The Wildcard.com)

NEW YORK, NY (Ed Uszynski-Athletes in Action Please click to read the story and the accompanying video. Here is an excerpt) While it’s become customary in football, the conclusion of the Baylor/South Carolina Sweet 16 game produced something rarely seen in college basketball: a post-game prayer huddle. As TBS announcers Verne Lundquist and Jim Spanarkel prepared to put the finishing touches on their broadcast of the game, they were both captured by the scene that unfolded at mid-court. “Interesting,” Lundquist said. “The celebration started, and Perry Clark one of the assistant coaches (for South Carolina) came out and said, ‘Calm down.’ And look at this. This is a remarkable scene of sportsmanship.” Both teams huddled together—coaches, players, and other staff—with arms slung around each other and heads bowed. Apparently someone offered a prayer from within the circle though it was not clear who may have initiated it.

Cardinals opening day roster set

Cardinal Ace Carlos Martinez will be the Cardinals opening day starter eight days from now against the Chicago Cubs. (CBS Sports photo)

Cardinal Ace Carlos Martinez will be the Cardinals opening day starter eight days from now against the Chicago Cubs. (CBS Sports photo)

JUPITER, FL – (J.J. Bailey – KMOV-TV. Click to read the whole article. Here is an excerpt) The Cardinals officially have their 25-man roster set for Opening Day. Saturday morning, the club optioned Tommy Pham to Memphis, securing Jose Martinez’s spot as the team’s fourth outfielder. Greg Garcia was also officially confirmed as the utility man, and will join Martinez, Matt Adams, Eric Fryer and Jedd Gyorko on the bench. The bullpen was the last piece of the puzzle to sort out, and after Saturday’s game against the Marlins, it officially took shape. Manager Mike Matheny confirmed Miguel Socolovich and Matt Bowman are the final members of the relief corps, finishing out the list of 12 pitchers. “The conversations have been, ‘This is how it looks. Things can change, but prepare,’” Matheny said. “Both guys are teed up and ready to be in St. Louis Opening Day, barring something unforeseen.”

“Dream Big”: The story of a 1992 high school game, a 2017 goodbye and a fanbase that just wanted a winner

Northwestern guard Brant McIntosh drives around an Illini defender earlier in the season ( Sara Gronlek - Daily Northwestern

Northwestern guard Brant McIntosh drives around an Illini defender earlier in the season ( Sara Gronlek – Daily Northwestern

EVANSTON, IL – (Caleb Freidman – insidenu.com. Please Click to read the entire story. Here is an excerpt.) Northwestern is headed to its first NCAA tournament in program history. Under head coach Chris Collins, Northwestern has turned from historic underachievers to history makers in just four seasons. This is the story of how he got the program to where it is today through improving himself, stockpiling talent and changing a culture. Part II of this three-part series discusses the Northwestern fanbase and the atmosphere in Welsh-Ryan Arena. He envisioned it because he had seen it before. Chris Collins saw it on March 17, 1992. As daylight turned to dusk on that mid-March day, Welsh-Ryan Arena filled up, and filled up fast.

State Senator Dale Fowler’s week in review

Illinois Senators remained in their legislative districts for the week, holding constituent meetings and attending community events, according to State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg).

Senator Fowler did a couple media visits recapping his recent visit to Cairo with Senate Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont). The Senator expressed his optimism that the proposed Cairo Port Authority project could begin the next phase of trying to acquire some capital funding or grants from the federal government.

On March 22, Senator Fowler and fellow Senator Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo) visited Shawnee High School in Union County. The two Senators visited as part of their efforts to learn more about the infrastructure needs of their respective districts.

Shawnee School District serves Alexander, Jackson, and Union Counties along the Mississippi River. The school district’s students have been working on an ongoing levee education project for seven years, in which they have highlighted the area’s need for improved levee conditions. The school district is at the intersection of the Big Muddy and Mississippi Rivers. In recent years, the Army Corps of Engineers decertified the Big Muddy levees making them ineligible for federal funds.

Congressman Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) and former Senator David Luechtefeld (R-Okawville) successfully passed legislation which will enable the Big Muddy levees to receive some critical upgrades.

On March 24, Senator Fowler traveled to Vienna to talk with junior high social studies classes about the importance of being involved in government.

Carbondale Town Hall Reminder

Senator Fowler will be co-hosting a town hall legislative forum with Senator Paul Schimpf in Carbondale on April 1.   The event will be held at Carbondale Township Building located at 216 E. Monroe in Carbondale. It will begin at 9:00 A.M. and will end at 11:00 A.M. Free coffee and donuts will be provided to those constituents in attendance.

townhall

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