West Frankfort Mayor Tom Jordan visits with local Habitat for Humanity board members, including President Vanessa Sneed, right, at West Frankfort City Hall. The board members attended the West Frankfort City Council meeting Tuesday night to thank the city for the donation of a lot to be developed by the nonprofit.

A lot on East Elm Street in West Frankfort is set to become the fourteenth piece of property developed by the Helping Hands unit of the Franklin County Habitat for Humanity, after the West Frankfort City Council voted to donate the land at 1102 E. Elm Street during their regular meeting Tuesday night.

In other action at the meeting, Franklin County Assistant State’s Attorney Steve Swofford presented $1,000 to the city for its Police work on drug cases. Swofford went on to say that the West Frankfort Police Department had conducted more than 70 controlled substance buys since Jan. 1 in the course of investigating illegal drug sales in the city. He commended the department and Police Chief Jeff Tharp, calling their work “first class, first rate.” City Attorney Mike Riva added that he commended State’s Attorney Evan Owens and his staff for their “aggressive prosecution” of drug cases.

Council members also approved a new resident for the Business Incubator – J&J Gaming. The firm will be working on a state contract for video gaming in the region. The city will spend $6,422.12 to build a security fence at the Business Incubator for the gaming company. Mayor Tom Jordan said he believed that J&J Gaming will be creating jobs in West Frankfort.

The council voted to accept a land donation at 513 W. Midway Street as part of the city’s renewal program. Buildings on the lot will be torn down, and the lot will be made available for sale and development.

— Bruce A. Fasol