Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
by Steve Dunford
There is a steady stream of vehicles but no tie ups on South Thompsonville road, which travelers are coming from Williamson County on.
They could be taking two paths, either taking North Thompsonville road into Jefferson County to hit I-64 or coming into West Frankfort to hit Interstate 57.
This is a situation that could be ongoing for several hours. I will keep providing continuous updates.
by Steve Dunford
Here is a statement issued by the Illinois State Police at 210 p.m.
TRAFFIC UPDATE – 08/21/17 at 2:10 P.M.
Northbound routes out of the area are starting to see heavy traffic. These include the I57 / I24 interchange and routes around the Goreville area, Illinois Route 3 near Chester is even seeing heavy traffic. Illinois Route 13 east bound from Carbondale to Marion has extremely heavy traffic. The attached pic is from Rt. 13 near John A. Logan College in Carterville.
Motorists are encouraged to completely focus on the task of driving, have patience, and if available seek alternate routes. Stay and enjoy the area for a while! Let traffic die down and then head home.
Locally in Franklin County Route 37 is getting heavy all the way into Benton. Route 149 between Zeigler and Royalton is at a standstill, and some of the traffic is pouring onto State Route 148.
Please let the traffic clear until you navigate further. It is safe to say that all state highways on the west side of the county will be clogged for awhile. I will pass on any further updates as they warrant.
Illinois State Police graphic at 1220
Here is a traffic statement from the Illinois State Police at 12:20 p.m.
Things are easing up across the area concerning traffic as we approach totality. Traffic between approximately mile post 83 – Ina and mile post 71 – Benton is still heavy so motorists should use extreme caution in that area.
Because the eclipse has begun, we want to stress to the public, DO NOT STOP ON ANY PART OF THE ROADWAY TO VIEW THE ECLIPSE!! Choose a safe location away from traffic.
FCEMA Headquarters & Bureau of Communications has been staffed since early this morning to monitor changing conditions, issue public information and coordinate the need for additional resources.
Current updates
Traffic is increasing throughout Franklin County. I-57 and State Highways 37/14/148/154 have seen additional traffic due to vehicles detouring from the Interstate.
Traffic control officers from Police and Fire have been deployed in Christopher and Sesser. ISP Troopers have been requested to assist at those location.
FCEMA has requested assistance from West City Fire Department’s REHAB unit to provide support to traffic control efforts.
FCEMA has issued traffic safety information to the public.
A few minor accidents have been reported along State Highway 37.
No major emergency incidents are in progress at this time.
by Steve Dunford
Area road conditions in Southern Illinois at 10:30 a.m. (Illinois State Police photo)
by Steve Dunford
The following statement was issued by the Illinois State Police at 10:30 a.m.
TRAFFIC UPDATE – 08/20/17 10:30 A.M.
Traffic is starting to thicken on all of the south bound entrances into the area. Illinois Routes 37, 127, 148, U.S. 51, and Interstate 57 are experiencing high volumes of traffic.
We encourage motorists to completely focus on their driving and arrive safely!
By talking to local officials, state route 154 is starting to develop some heavy traffic between I-57 and State Route 148 in Sesser.
Most motorists are taking 148 down to Christopher and getting on State Route 14. From there they are taking US-51 into Carbondale. Traffic is getting to be very heavy in Sesser and Christopher.
In Zeigler, traffic is flowing on 148 without traffic control.
I will keep you informed of any updates. Authorities before this event predicted the heaviest traffic here in Franklin County will be after the eclipse. Please follow the webstie to keep informed.
Any information passed along from authorities or the public will be greatly appreciated.
by Steve Dunford
Franklin County Emergency Management director Ryan Buckingham, reported about ten minutes ago, heavy traffic on Interstate 57 in the county. Please take an alternate route.
At this time I am unsure of the condition of Route 37. At this time, Route 148 at the Zeigler 4-way is clear.
Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.
Picture by Leigh Caldwell, co-host of the WJPF Newswatch
by Steve Dunford
There were pleas from a few elected officials to get out and about this weekend.
The projections of hundreds of thousands of people were off base. There have been tie ups of traffic in the Pacific Northwest in which is guaranteed no cloud cover. I wonder if national and international tourists changed plans.
The search of eclipse glasses seem to be the big story here in Franklin County. Last night, some were going for as high as $50 on some yard sale social media sites.
There is a chance of storms today that could hurt the amount to this area. The Shawnee National forest had the most people in Southern Illinois, as the Garden of the God’s recreation area had to be closed with the weekend crowd.
The strip of Western Kentucky from Paducah to the Fort Campbell area experienced a lot of tourists, especially in the Land Between the Lakes area.
The Marion Republican reported an increase in traffic at Veteran’s Airport, formerly Williamson County Airport. Scanner traffic was busy with planes landing yesterday morning. They are using one runway dedicated to parking planes.
I will continue to monitor the situation, as people began to leave the area this afternoon, as traffic on northbound I-57, and State Routes 148 and 37 could be heavy.
Geraldine Jovi, 84 of West Frankfort passed away on Tuesday August 15, 2017 at Parkway Manor in Marion.
She was born on March 23, 1933 in Logan, IL to Frank and Lexie (McFarland) McKown. She married Arthur Jovi and he preceded her in death.
She is survived by a son-in-law Danny Jerrells of Royalton; 2 grandchildren Aaron (Heather) Jerrells of Saint Johns, FL and Yalonda (Nate) McVicker of Columbia, IL; 5 great grandchildren Blake, Logan, Lexie, Tyler and Rilie.
She was preceded in by her parents, husband, one daughter Carolyn Jerrells and two brothers.
Her wishes were to be cremated with a family service at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alheimer’s Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is assisting the family with arrangements.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
A group of incoming Applied Science students head toward the south end of campus with Rachel Sveda-Webb, RLC Financial Aid and Admissions Coordinator. After Warrior Day, the students could stay on campus in the afternoon during Super Saturday to register for courses, speak with advisors, purchase or rent textbooks, obtain a parking pass, and much more.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information
