by Steve Dunford
At 5:42 p.m. Benton and West City firefighters responded to the KOA campground on DuQuoin St. in Benton for a camper fire. With two other structures in danger. Amount of loss is undetermined.
Zeigler emergency officials responding to a previous incident. (Zeigler fire department photo)
Just after midnight, Zeigler firefighters responded to a chemical situation on Coxspur street, on the north side of the city limits. There were some evacuations that took place. Residents were allowed to return to their homes around 2:00 a.m. Coxspur Street was reopened around 3:00 a.m.
At 3:10 a.m. Buckner and West City firefighters responded to a single vehicle accident on Route 14 at the Big Muddy Bridge. There was a possible extrication. Updates on the accident will be shared as information becomes available.
UPDATE 4:10 p.m. I just spoke with Buckner Fire Chief David Dolderer, and he said the accident occurred just west of Rend City Road. There was a young man injured and he is in critical but stable condition. Coello Fire Department was also called for mutual aid.
BUCKNER – Alyx Michaela Starkweather
Lynn Bundy, Kayla Follmer, Brady German, Cecily Ann Heusner, Austin Kerley, Austin Michael Kessler, David K. Payne, Kenzie Nichole Rizor, Kyle J. Shimkus, Kenise Rashelle Smith, Damien Sky Wilburn
WEST CITY, IL (William McPherson, Benton/West Frakfort Gazette) Please click to read the full story. Here is an excerpt) During the May meeting of the West City Village Board, which was the first such meeting since the April 4 elections, board members and Village President Ron House were sworn in for another term in office. The new board consists of House, Linda Sullivan, Gordon Rice, Darren Romani, Bill Baker, Dale Watkins, and Bruce Watkins. The council voted for the city attorney to craft an ordinance to allow the Village of West City to move forward with random drug testing of city employees with a number of randomly selected individuals and number of test times per year to be determined.
On Saturday May 6, 2017 at 3:50 pm The Benton Fire Dept. Dive-Rescue team was requested mutual aid to the West City Fire Dept. for a male subject on the roof of a vehicle submerged in water on Yellowbanks Rd.
BENTON, IL – Please click for the schedule for the Rend Lake Water Festival, from the Benton-West City Chamber of Commerce. Here is the theme this year. 2017 Theme: Communities Moving Forward! With the upcoming construction, new opportunities coming to our area in the coming years, and the turbulence of 2016 – we think this is an optimistic attitude for 2017. We encourage parade entries to celebrate how you think we are moving forward. Business expansion, community programs, our youth achievements on the field and in the classroom, our military & public safety services, the Eclipse, increased tourism and recreation activities, our rich history and traditions all contribute to our community – and the goals of becoming an even more prosperous area for future generations. Let’s make it great!! 
