Henson…Oxford participate in Country Financial Three Point Showdown Thursday

Derek Oxford (left) Benton Coach Ron Winemiller (center) and Timmy Henson (right) at Carver Arena in Peoria, Thursday

Derek Oxford (left) Benton Coach Ron Winemiller (center) and Timmy Henson (right) at Carver Arena in Peoria, Thursday

Timmy Henson and Derek Oxford slid on the Ranger jersey one final time as participated in the Country Financial Three Point Showdown at Carver Arena in Peoria Thursday.

In the preliminary round Henson made nine threes.  Oxford made 11.  He was beat out in the tie breaker and did not advance to the state finals, which were this afternoon.

Thank you to both for providing the memories for a lot of basketball fans, in not only Benton, but across Southern Illinois.

-sd

FCHS Teacher Jay Welch and the Bird’s Nest Crew- WSIL’s Unsung Heroes

FCHS teacher Jay Welch and the Bird's nest crew.  (WSIL TV photo)

FCHS teacher Jay Welch and the Bird’s nest crew. (WSIL TV photo)

WEST FRANKFORT, IL – (Ashley Smith, WSIL TV- Please click to read the story and view the accompanying video. Here is an excerpt.) A local teacher is making sure his students are prepared to be competitive in the workplace. The Bird’s Nest Cafe is all the buzz in West Frankfort. They serve snacks, coffee, fresh baked cookies, and more. The cafe was built over the summer to provide a unique opportunity to students thanks to teacher Jay Welch. “I’ve been very impressed with the amount they’ve learned,” said Welch. “Some of these students I just wish I had a business that I could place them in right now.” Jay and some of his students transformed an old storage closet and shower room at Frankfort Community High School into a cafe. Jay noticed a problem with students getting or keeping jobs after completing the work program.

The Tri-State-Tornado from my Great Grandma’s view

by Steve Dunford – franklincounty-news.com

When I began to see news stories ran yesterday about the anniversary of the Tri-State Tornado, my mind began to wander about the conversations I used to have with my Great Grandmother Beulah “Granny” Dunford.

“Granny” was not a family name, it was a T’ville name.  She ran a restaurant back in the 1940’s and 50’s in Thompsonville.  Troops that were deployed during WWII and Korea would send her letters from overseas entitled “Granny.”

She was born in 1901.  Being a history buff, I would like to pick her mind about things.  She would always tell me stories about the depression.  She would say how wild things would get at times growing up in Saline County.

 

Shorty and "Granny" Dunford, my great grandparents. I would say the photo was in the early 1950's. Shorty passed away in 1957.

Shorty and “Granny” Dunford, my great grandparents. I would say the photo was in the early 1950’s. Shorty passed away in 1957.

She was a high school graduate which was rare during those days.  I would occasionally watch NFL games with her. She loved watching the NFL Films that Harry Kalas used to narrate.  Granny would tell me how she used to love playing football in PE, and would have loved to been a Harrisburg Bulldog if they would have let girls go out for the team.  She also would tell me that she would have loved to been a NASCAR driver as well.

During the Tri-State Tornado she lived in Parrish.  My Great Grandpa “Shorty” worked in the mines there.  He had an ice route in Parrish and Logan and worked second shift at the mine.

She told me off from the distance she thought the tornado was a huge fire, and wondered if it was at the mine.  She began to realize when the wind picked up, it was a tornado.

She huddled with her young family and rode the storm out.  In my recollection, the house was damaged but not destroyed.  My Grandpa, Charles, was a baby then.  She was afraid he would be blown out of her arms, so she threw him in a heavy cedar hope chest she had to ride out the storm.

She said there were few things left standing in Parrish.  Accounts of the tornado have the community 90% destroyed.  She told me she met Shorty close to the mine.  The tipple was blown over and the miners were able to walk out.

She had another close call with a tornado, when the one struck Thompsonville on April 27, 1971, narrowly missing her house.  There was a buckeye tree in her yard that I always climbed as a kid the storm split into.

She told me that God must always had his hand on my grandpa. When the mine was idle, they family went to the river.  She said they lived off of fish and tomatoes that summer as well as times during the depression.  In the middle of the night that summer my Grandpa rolled out of the tent when they were asleep, and they fund him laying outside sound asleep.

God is not finished with my Grandpa because he is still living. Growing up as a kid, he was a rural mail carrier by day, and an electrician by night.  He also pastored the McKinney Chapel Free Will Baptist Church near Goreville.  It was a large congregation for a rural church, running around 100 in Sunday School.  My grandparents made the long drive from Thompsonville to the Lake of Egypt several times a week.

He was the happiest man that I ever met.  I never seen him in a bad mood.  He is hard working and always has a can do attitude.  He started college i and became a real estate agent when he was well into his 70’s.

He will be 93 in September.  He now lives at Heritage Woods in Benton.  He holds bible studies with residents, and he spends a lot of time on the internet.  He does not get into social media, but he will tell me about articles he read on the Drudge Report. He is well versed in the issues of his day.

He is a World War II veteran.  The story I provided a link to about the Honor Flight yesterday, he was a participant a couple of years ago.

I am going to throw another little tidbit in about my family. Yesterday would have been my grandma, Pansy Dunford’s birthday. Being born on St. Partrick’s day, she had a knack of spotting four leaf clovers.  She began collecting them in quart mason jars, and had several of them.  They Daily American and The Southern wrote stories about this.  I would like to access them one day on Microfilm.

Thank you for allowing me to go down memory lane today.

 

 

Bost Legislation to Restore Certainty in VA Leadership Passes House

Press Release from Congressman Bost’s office

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Representatives Mike Bost’s (R-IL) bipartisan legislation to address the growing problem of Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) medical centers operating without permanent directors passed the House on Friday. The VA Health Center Management Stability and Improvement Act (HR 1131), was adopted as an amendment to VA reform legislation that now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

“No business or organization can successfully operate under a revolving door of short-term leaders – especially not one tasked with caring for America’s heroes,” said Bost.  “At a time when restoring accountability and leadership at the VA is a primary focus, we can’t afford to continue operating in this haphazard way.  As a veteran myself, it’s my duty to do my part in providing the stability necessary to ensure our veterans receive the care they deserve.”

“I appreciate the support from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in passing this legislation to support our veterans. This is exactly how the legislative process is supposed to work. A problem was identified that affects veterans throughout the United States, a bipartisan legislative solution was proposed, and the legislation was ultimately passed by the House. I encourage my counterparts in the Senate to take up this legislation as soon as possible.”

Please click link below to play video

Please copy and paste link below to play video   https://www.facebook.com/RepBost/videos/1641055019255682/

More than 20 VA medical centers nationwide currently lack a permanent director. Some of these facilities have not been staffed by a permanent director in almost two years. In lieu of a permanent director, these facilities have been managed by interim directors who may only serve in that capacity for an average tenure of 120 days. Rep. Bost’s legislation would require the Secretary of the VA to report to Congress with a plan for addressing the shortage of permanent directors, a shortage that could hinder the ability to engage in long-term planning and other functions necessary to improve service delivery to our veterans.

Bost, a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced HR 1131 in February with Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA), and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI). The VA Health Center Management Stability and Improvement Act:

  • Requires the Secretary of the VA to develop and submit to Congress a plan to hire highly-qualified medical directors for each medical center that lacks a permanent director within 120 days of enactment;
  • Identifies possible impediments to staffing facilities with permanent directors; and
  • Assesses the possibility of promoting and training qualified candidates from within the VA for promotion to Senior Executive Service positions.

 

 

 

 

 

Regional J.C. Penney stores will keep their doors open

In a press release from J.C. Penney corporate headquarters, the retailer announced the closure of 138 stores and two distribution facilities will be affected.  The struggling company issued this statement today:

“As part of a continuing effort to advance sustainable growth and long-term profitability, J. C. Penney Company, Inc. will be closing 138 stores, one supply chain facility in Lakeland, Fla., and relocating one supply chain facility in Buena Park, Calif., to align the Company’s physical store footprint and omnichannel network. Approximately 5,000 positions nationwide will be impacted by the store closures, most of which will occur in June. JCPenney is in the process of identifying relocation opportunities within the Company for esteemed leaders. Additionally, JCPenney will provide outplacement support services for those eligible associates who will be leaving the Company. Most affected stores will begin the liquidation process on April 17.”

Seven locations in the state will be closing including; Bloomington, Canton, Effingham, Macomb, Peru, Sterling, and Woodrige.

The Carbondale, Mt. Vernon and Fairview Heights, as well as any St. Louis Metro locations will not be affected.  Locations in Cape Girardeau, MO, Paducah KY, and Evansville, IN, were not affected either.

Here is a link stores that will close nationwide:

http://www.jcpnewsroom.com/news-releases/2017/assets/0317_list_of_store_closures.pdf

sd

 

 

Christopher College Signing Day at RLC brings in 25 Bearcats

Pictured is, in alphabetical order, Brooke Akers, Paige Arondelli, Savanah Cobin, Andrew Dunford, Kyle Gares, Luke Garver, Kelsey Hasty, Jena Holden, Noah Huff, Brennen Kelley, Wesley Laxton, Joshua Martin, Derek Mueller, Tyler Nuss, Kaeleb Pedigo, Korteney Prather, Taylor Presutti, Katlyn Reese, Huel Reynolds, Tessa Robertson, Madilyn Severs, Zack Snell, Karlena Tucker, Joshua Underwood, and Alexis Walters.  (ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

Pictured is, in alphabetical order, Brooke Akers, Paige Arondelli, Savanah Cobin, Andrew Dunford, Kyle Gares, Luke Garver, Kelsey Hasty, Jena Holden, Noah Huff, Brennen Kelley, Wesley Laxton, Joshua Martin, Derek Mueller, Tyler Nuss, Kaeleb Pedigo, Korteney Prather, Taylor Presutti, Katlyn Reese, Huel Reynolds, Tessa Robertson, Madilyn Severs, Zack Snell, Karlena Tucker, Joshua Underwood, and Alexis Walters.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

 

 

RLC Academic Advisors will visit Hamilton County and Zeigler-Royalton high schools in upcoming weeks to register interested seniors for classes at RLC. Advisors will visit all 13 in-district high schools in the coming weeks.

Registration for Summer 2017 is going on now for all students with classes starting the week of June 5-9. Fall 2017 registration for sophomores begins Monday, April 3 by appointment. For incoming students, Fall 2017 enrollment appointments begin Monday, April 17. The Fall semester begins the week of August 14-18.

According to the U. S. Department of Education, college graduates typically earn more and are less likely to face unemployment than those with a high school diploma. Over the course of a lifetime, the average worker with a postsecondary degree will earn approximately $1 million more than a worker without a postsecondary education. In fact, by 2020, an estimated two-thirds of job openings will require postsecondary education or training.

RLC is a comprehensive community college located in Ina in Southern Illinois. Rend Lake College offers more than 100 associate degree and occupational certificate programs, preparing students for transfer to a four-year university or direct entry into the workforce. In addition, RLC offers personal interest classes, continuing education, business & industry training, computer workshops and much more. To learn more about RLC, visit www.rlc.edu/journey.

ReAnne Palmer – RLC Media Services

Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois prepares for first flight

World War II veteran Robert Casey, who will be participating in the Honor Flight from Southern Illinois in April  (WPSD photo)

World War II veteran Robert Casey, who will be participating in the Honor Flight from Southern Illinois in April (WPSD photo)

MARION, IL – (Logan Gay, WPSD-TV. Please Click to read the entire story and accompanying video. Here is an excerpt.) At almost 90 years old World War II veteran Robert Casey has lived quite an adventurous life. When he was only in high school he didn’t hesitate to enlist in the military. “There were several things on our mind at 17 years old. There was patriotism there was a war going on and we wanted to be a part of it,” said World War II Veteran Robert Casey. Now Casey is ready for his next adventure. The Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois is taking their first honor flight to D.C. and Casey, accompanied by his grandson Josh Mieldezis and a group of 57 other veterans, plans to be on that trip.

Foster Introduces Legislation to Establish National Pi Day

Press Release from Congressman Bill Foster’s office

WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-Naperville) introduced a bipartisan House resolution to designate March 14 as National Pi (π) Day.

PBS image

PBS image

“Pi Day is more than just a good excuse to eat pie. It’s an opportunity to highlight mathematics and science education in our schools,” Foster said. “This resolution encourages schools and educators to observe Pi Day by engaging their students in interactive and fun activities that explore the exciting side to math and other STEM subjects. This lays the ground work for students to develop an interest in becoming the next generation’s mathematicians, engineers, and physicists.”

The National Pi Day resolution also recognizes the continuing importance of the National Science Foundation’s math and science education programs. Pi Day occurs every year on March 14, in honor of the number, which is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.

Diamond notes

Hamilton Page picks up the win on the mound yesterday against Centrailia.

Hamilton Page picks up the win on the mound yesterday against Centrailia.

After some games getting pushed back a day or two because of the weather,  high school baseball was off to a chilly start around the region.

In Evalodi field yesterday Parker Williams goes 3-3 at the plate, Tyson Houghland 3-4, and Hamilton Page 2-3 as Benton defeats Centralia 17-7.  Page picks up the win for the Rangers.

At the Webber Township Tournament Gabe Schimpf goes 3-4 at the plate and pitches a shutout, as Z-R-C defeats NCOE 9-0.

W-S-V also picks up a win at Webber yesterday as Seth Boles goes 4-4, hits a grand slam and drives in seven runs as the Spartans defeat the Odin Eagles 12-10.

All softball and baseball coaches, if you could send me any info about your team, I would be more than happy to publish it.  Please call or text me at 513-2516, you could also call at 937-0253, send me an email at sdunford1970@hotmail.com, or send me a message on facebook. -sd

They’ve been in school for 100 days; she’s almost 100 years old

Louise Justhi was explaining life growing up to her great granddaughters kindergarten class in the Northern Illinois community of Peru for their 100th day of school celebration.  (Lasalle News-Tribune photo.

Louise Justhi was explaining life growing up to her great granddaughters kindergarten class in the Northern Illinois community of Peru for their 100th day of school celebration. (Lasalle News-Tribune photo.

PERU, IL (Amy Flanery – La Salle News-Tribune Please click to read the full story. Here is an excerpt) For the 100th day of school, students in Chris Goodman’s kindergarten class at Northview School in Peru had 100 activities to choose from. In the afternoon they would learn what 100 seconds feels like while seeing how many times they could write their name or how many jumping jacks they could do in that amount of time. But that morning they got a special treat, when classmate Maddilyn Sopczynski’s great-great-grandmother came to visit. Louise Justi of Spring Valley will be 100 years old this June. She still lives independently and cooks for herself most days. “She baked cream puffs this morning,” said Maddilyn’s mother, Amanda Sopczynski of Peru. Amanda is the daughter of Carie Delhotal of Seatonville, who is the daughter of Richard Justi of Spring Valley. Richard is Louise’s son.

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News