Paychecks almost delayed at Zeigler-Royalton schools

WSIL Photo

WSIL Photo

ZEIGLER, IL – (Roni LaForge WSIL TV – Please click to read the story and watch the video. Here is an excerpt) Because of the state budget mess, the Zeigler-Royalton School District nearly missed payroll this week. The district is scheduled to pay employees Friday, but a state payment isn’t scheduled to hit their account until next week. The superintendent sent out an email just after school started Wednesday morning, telling teachers and staff they would not get paid on Friday. Late Wednesday afternoon, he told News 3 the district got enough credit from its bank to cover payroll. But the close call shines a light on the financial struggles Illinois schools are facing. Since the state budget impasse began two years ago, schools have anxiously awaited payments they weren’t sure they’d get.

Franklin County taxpayers speak out on sales tax

WSIL TV image

WSIL TV image

BENTON, IL – (Tia Rineheart – WSIL TV Please click on the link to read the whole story. Here is an excerpt) Since the 1800s, the Franklin County Courthouse has been at the center of Benton. In April, Franklin County voters will decide whether or not a new courthouse will be built. Franklin County board member Tom Vaughn said the vote is to approve a one percent sales tax increase that will fund the new courthouse. “It is on the ballot for a 20-year sundown period, and in 20 years it will go off the ballot, but we really anticipate being able to retire this bond and in deftness in a shorter time than that. 15 years is kind of what we’re pretty sure of and it could be even sooner than that,” Vaughn said. It won’t be an increase on everything you buy. All foods and medicine, prescribed and over-the-counter, would be exempt from the tax increase. But everything else would increase. County leaders heard the concerns of community members at a town hall in Benton Tuesday.

Snow in the forecast for Friday Night-Saturday

 

Brian Alworth - KFVS image

Brian Alworth – KFVS image

 

 

The next couple of days is supposed to be in the upper 60’s.  Friday is supposed to be in the 50’s.

However Friday night, we are supposed to have snow up until around noon on Saturday, then changing back to snow on Saturday night.

This could change as a deep low pressure system will sweep across the Midwest.

It is too far off to forecast accumulation amounts.  We will keep you updated as the event gets closer.

A tradition of sportsmanship: Remembering Robert Blondi

Robert Blondi, Sr.BENTON, IL – (William McPherson – Benton Gazette. Click to read the full story. Here is an excerpt) Robert Dee Blondi (often misspelled as DeBlondi throughout his life), son of Italian immigrants Rose and Dee Blondi, was born in Benton Aug. 22, 1922. Every year during the Benton Invitational Tournament, a prestigious sportsmanship award is given out in Robert Blondi’s honor. “The award came about because of my dad’s involvement in athletics and officiating sports for 50 years,” his son Bobby Blondi added. “He worked Division I basketball, Division II football, Division I baseball and then high school sports all over the state.” “I went with him, starting when I was five,” Bobby added. “I traveled with him and got to referee with him from 1967 to 1974” Bobby said his father always exemplified sportsmanship, and was always talking about, “what a good kid” that various players throughout the region were.

National Weather Service completed reports of Feb. 28 storms

Track of the Perryville to Mulkeytown tornado that caused some considerable damage on the west side of the county. (NWS image)

Track of the Perryville to Mulkeytown tornado that caused some considerable damage on the west side of the county. (NWS image)

Here is a link to the completed storm reports by the National Weather Service in Paducah, KY on the Feburary 28-March 1 storms where an F-4 tornado did some considerable damage in the west side of Franklin County. There is some great information in here, especially for weather enthusiasts.  Here was the overview of the night from the NWS website A significant severe weather event occurred in our forecast area from the evening of February 28th into the early morning hours of March 1st. Two waves of severe storms occurred with the first consisting of multiple supercells during the evening hours, one of which produced 2 long track tornadoes. The second round was an intense squall line that moved into southeast Missouri and southern Illinois after 3 AM and was out of the area by 7 AM. Damaging winds in excess of 80 mph were reported with this line as it moved across western Kentucky. There were 6 confirmed tornadoes from this event, with 1 EF-4 (Perryville, MO), 1 EF-3 (Crossville, IL), and 1 EF-2 (Cuba, KY). The Perryville, MO tornado was on the ground for 50 miles, becoming the longest track tornado in our forecast area since April 1981..

Slight chance of severe weather tonight

Severe March 6th

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman Oklahoma has placed Franklin County under a slight risk of severe weather, mainly for tonight.

The main risk is damaging thunderstorm winds embedded in a squall line that will be along an approaching cold front.

There are small risks of large hail and isolated tornadoes.  The tornado threat is much less than Tuesday night.

The mild trend will remain after the passage of the front with highs in the 60’s.

There will be several updates throughout the day on the franklincounty-news.com Facebook page and on the website whenever it is logistically possible.

Be sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings.  I am not a meteorologist, but this is shaping up to be a very active spring.  -sd

 

 

Dandy Gyms: Max Morris Gymnasium, West Frankfort

West Frankfort's Max Morris gym, given the name "The Supreme Court" by the late Redbird broadcaster Bruce A. Fasol.

West Frankfort’s Max Morris gym, given the name “The Supreme Court” by the late Redbird broadcaster Bruce A. Fasol. (Quad City Times Photo)

WEST FRANKFORT, IL (Nick Vhalos- Peoria Journal Star. Click to read the entire story. Here is an excerpt.) The high school basketball season is winding to its end. So, for this school year, is Dandy Gyms, a Nick in the Morning presentation that features unique high school basketball facilities in the Journal Star area and beyond. This time, we’re going beyond. Way beyond — about 250 miles south of Peoria. Even in southern Illinois, where there are plenty of standout hoops palaces, Max Morris Gymnasium in West Frankfort still manages to distinguish itself. This is more like a small arena than a high school gym. The 67-year-old home of the West Frankfort Redbirds seats more than 4,000. That’s about half the population of the Franklin County city.

100 best Illinois high school basketball players ever

Doug Collins playing for the Philadelphia 76ers. He went on to coach the Chicago Bulls and as a color man for TNT on NBA broadcasts

Doug Collins playing for the Philadelphia 76ers. He went on to coach the Chicago Bulls and as a color man for TNT on NBA broadcasts

NOTE- Here is a list of the 100 top high school players of all time in the state. There are several Franklin county names along the list. Doug Collins made the top 50. Honorable mention was Scott Burzynski, Jo Jo Johnson, Jim Mitchell, and T.J. Wheeler. I enjoyed looking thorough this list and most of you will too. Please click to read the entire story from the Chicago Tribune. sd.

Severin Weekly Newsletter March 3, 2017

The big news of the week was the severe weather that came through the state on Tuesday. Many people across the state were affected by these storms. Our district was no different seeing significant property damage to homes in Franklin County, specifically in Mulkeytown. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by these storms as they begin to rebuild.

Living in Southern Illinois we know that unfortunately this is not the last time we will experience severe weather like this. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Ready Illinois are good resources on how to prepare for when disaster strikes. I encourage everyone to visit these websites to make sure you are prepared for the next storm that comes through.

Click Here to visit and Illinois Emergency Management Agency

Click Here to visit Ready Illinois

Southern Illinois Eclipse-

On Tuesday I attended a presentation by Carbondale Tourism  to introduce a new regional website for the eclipse coming in August. The website provides visitors with a list of travel, lodging, and dining options along with information on the eclipse and other local activities. Businesses are being encouraged to advertise on this website and can do so for free. This is a great for our area, as the region expects to see an influx in visitors with the upcoming eclipse.

You can visit the website by Clicking Here

Business owners can sign up by Clicking Here

State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton, far left) meeting with the Carbondale Tourism

State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton, far left) meeting with the Carbondale Tourism

Northside Elementary School

On Thursday, I visited Northside Elementary School in Herrin to talk with our youth about the importance of reading. During the visit I got to read a book by one of my favorite authors, Dr. Seuss, to Ms. Gaither’s first grade class. It was a treat to see how passionate the students were about reading.

Thank you to Principal Viernow for the invitation and I look forward to returning soon.

Legislation Update

A few more of the bills I have introduced were assigned to House committees on Wednesday, including:

HB 2895 State Exercise as Cycling

HB 2896 Teachers for Rural Schools

HB 2897 Paws Program

HB 3660 School Board Statement of Affairs

HB 3666 Concealed License Fee Reduction

HB 3790 Legislative Pay Raise Denial

Once again, I encourage you to learn more about each bill and track them as they move through the legislative process. You can also explore other pieces of legislation by visiting the Illinois General Assembly’s website.

Stay Connected

My office in Marion is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. You can email me directly through the Contact Form on my website at www.repseverin.com. My staff and I are here to serve you! So please feel free to share your opinions with us.

 

Franklin County Sheriff’s office recent arrest record

On 2-23-2017 at 9:01 p.m., Deputies responded to a crash on State Hwy. 154 one mile East of North Rend City Road. A 2010 Chevrolet driven by Asia B.J. Sanders Age 19 of West Frankfort went out of control and struck a guardrail. There were no injuries; however the driver was cited for zero-tolerance D.U.I. and unlawful consumption of alcohol.

On 2-25-17 at 2:15 p.m., a traffic stop in West Frankfort led to the arrest of Richard K. Fitts Age 50 of West Frankfort for driving while license revoked.

On 2-26-17 at 3:00 p.m., Deputies responded to a burglary and theft that occurred at the Ezra Church of God in Pershing. The investigation resulted in the arrest of four (4) rural West Frankfort male juveniles. One 17 year old, a 15 year old, and two 14 year olds. All are being held in the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center. They are charged with burglary of a place of worship, felony theft, criminal trespass and criminal defacement of a place of worship. Items taken were tools, video and sound equipment, and household items. Most of the items were recovered.

On 2-26-17 at 3:09 p.m., a traffic stop in West Frankfort led to the arrest of Jonathan D. Pendall Age27 of West Frankfort for driving while license suspended and an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on a traffic charge.

On 2-26-17 at 11:30 a.m., a traffic stop in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Kevin W. Shuman Age 40 of Benton for unlawful possession of an open title of a motor vehicle and for failure to appear on a felony charge of unlawfully damaging government property.

On 3-1-17 at 12: 17 p.m., Deputies responded to a traffic crash on Hwy.37 ¼ mile north of Barton Lane. A 2002 Mercury was north bound driven by Cady R. Holman Age 25 of West Frankfort rear ended a 2006 Chevrolet Impala driven by Joshua Slack Age 26 of West Frankfort. Holman was not injured and was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash. Slack received minor injuries as did a passenger in his vehicle, Caitlyn Parkhill Age 20 of West Frankfort. Both refused medical treatment.

Warrant Arrests

2-25-17 Cathy L. Williams Age 53 of Mulkeytown on a battery charge.

2-27-17 Joshua L. Hazel Age 24 of Benton for failure to appear on a possession of controlled substance charge.

2-27-17 Lauren K. Amberger Age 26 of Benton for failure to appear on an forgery charge.

3-1-17 Gregory W. Key Age 24 of DuQuoin for failure to appear on a unlawful consumption charge.

3-1-17 Kristen M. Asbury Age 28 of Murphysboro for failure to appear on a retail theft charge.

  • Sheriff Don Jones
Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News