WDML NEWS

FEBRUARY 20TH:

After counting absentee ballots received after the February 5th primary election Democratic incumbant Gail Howell was declared the winner by 1 vote against Nathan Pigg for Jefferson County Board seat in District 10. The question of who won the election for the position came into question when Howell edged out Pigg by 5 votes. The outstanding ballots were postmarked by February 5th and therefore Powell is the winner by 1 vote.

Salem Mayor Leonard Furguson is calling 2007 a good year and that much was accomplished in the city. In his state of the city address the mayor characterized it as like being pieces of a puzzle finally taking shape. Furguson pointed to an ongoing economic development effort including city programs designed to assist local business's with over a million and a half dollars in local investments last year and 40 new employment opportunities. He also pointed to the over all visible improvement to the downtown area.

It's already found on money now In God We Trust maybe coming to a car bumper near you. Illinois lawmakers taking a cue from Indiana want to offer drivers the option of having those 4 words on their license plates. The specialty fee from the plate would benefit the Illinois Families of Military Victims Relief Fund.

FEBRUARY 15TH-19TH:

The battle to save Amtrak service in Southern Illinois will not be short. The head of the railroad division for the Illinois Department of Transportation George Webber told the Centralia Chamber of Commerce that the current common period with the federal surface transportation board is just the start. He says it's something hard to determine because on one side they don't know how long the enviormental impacts study would take which usually last anywhere from a year to 3 years. He says he's impressed though with the amount of support that has been expressed by area governments and residents to save Amtrak including Senator Dick Durbin.

As the city of Mt.Vernon moves to pass along water rate increases from the Rend Lake Conservancy District, board member Jim Rippy predicts the rate increases will mushroom among cities that the districts serves. He along with 2 other board members representing Jefferson County voted against raising water rates and the application for an Illinois Enviormental Protection Agency loan of 13.4 million. Rippy says that is just doesn't make any sense.

The city of Kimmundy will have a full time police officer for the first time since Labor Day when officer Forrest Elkins left. City Council has voted to hire officer Kyle Severt of Carlyle for the position.

In other news the City of Kimmundy will be talking to the Fish and Gaming Administrators at Forbes State Park to discuss a possible catch limit on fish at the lake.

People using the facilities around Rend Lake may need to double check this summer to make sure that their favorite spots are open as the US Army Corp of Engineers announced that several areas will be closed or have reduced services because of funding. A list of area's affected includes the South Marcum Campground including Dale Miller Youth area, it will be closed all summer. The Gun Creek Campground will be open April 1st and close November 23rd. The North Marcum Day Use area will also be closed for the entire summer. The rest of the list has not been completed.

Ameren has been catching a lot of heat for their service or lack of. Several downstate lawmakers now want the regions largest power company to pay customers for going without power for long periods of time. They say other utility customers throughout the state have that right and that it should also apply to downstaters as well. Lawmakers say hopefully it will make Ameren step up their customer service.

A 41 year old Centralia man has had bond set at $15,000, that after formally being charged in Marion County court with felony domestic battery. Timothy Weddington is accused of striking Dawn Weddington in the head. The charge is a felony because of a prior conviction.

Police at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville say they have arrested a student reportedly caught carrying weapons on campus. Police say charges against 22 year old Steven Varez of Glen Carbon came after a sergeant at the school's ROTC Program reportedly appearded to be making threats on his website. Officers say they charged Varez with Unlawful possession of a weapon on state property and unlawful use of a weapon after they allegedly found a taser, a knife, and 2 guns in his possession.

FEBRAURY 14TH:

Cook County inmate numbers at the Jefferson County Justice Center have remained down with averages at 5 per day sometimes dipping lower according to Sheriff Roger Mulch. He says the numbers have not come back up yet, but it's not the end of February either. He says he'll be talking to them today and he'll have some people here in the next couple of weeks. He's also hoping to find out more information on when the inmate number will go up substantially.

As freezing rain, sleet, and snow tapered off in Southern Illinois area. It's time to thaw out for a day. Road crews are on high alert with another potential winter storm this weekend. They've been working non-stop to clear roads. IDOT has about 13 trucks working in Jefferson County. Salt supplies are in danger of becoming low, however more shipments have been ordered.

This Friday will be the last day to submit nominating applications for the citizen of the year and small business person of the year but no applications have yet been received at all according to the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. They say traditionally people wait until the last minute to submit nominations but they hope they come in on Friday. The nominations for the 2 annual awards are early this year as the Chamber moved up it's annual banquet to March 28th. The deadline will not be pushed back as plans are already set at the Holiday Inn for March 28th.

FEBRUARY 12-13TH, 2008:

Two Illinois Congressmen are calling for new Social Security cards that will resist counterfeiting. The current Social Security cards were designed in the 1930's and have had few security upgrades since that time. A forged Social Security card looks much like a legal document and can lead to identity theft.

School budgets have seemed to defy gravity in recent years going up steadily without ever coming down. School board members from across the country say that's likely to change and their bracing for leaner times forced for the nations economic downturn. Board members in Washington last week for their annual conference said short holes in state budgets coupled with pessimistic predictions about local revenues are forcing them to look for ways to trim next years budgets which their working on now. About half of the state facilities are projected to have budget shortfalls according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington based research group.

25 communities from across the state will be celebrating Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday celebration with money from the Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bi-Centennial Commission. The commission awarded $700,000 to community projects that eduacate and commemorate the 16th President. Almost 80 communities have applied for the grants.

As first it looked as though the discussion of Eco Digital's Development Group's plan to renovate the Hoffman Hart Building in Centralia might be postponed. Initially the city council wasn't clear on some of the wording in the resolution and had some lingering questions about the project, leading to some to call for the resolution to be tabled. Councilman Tom Ashby expressed his concern saying that there needs to be more communication lines open and Eco Digital's Dennis Swaggert was on hand to field the council's questions. After clarification on why certain money's would be paid up front a time line of the project as well as the city's role the council did approve the resolution. The city will now pay Eco Digital $120,000 to help cover the costs of roofing, renovation, and enviormental cleanup. The developer wants to put together condiminiums in the Hoffman Hart building as well as build a 10 unit stand alone structure at the site of the old Grand Theatre.

Republican member's of the Illinois House of Representatives have introduced legislation that will aim at preventing predator access to social networking sites, it would also strengthen laws against child pornography. Last July the popular site "My Space" found and deleted some 29,000 profiles belonging to registered sex offenders. 1,558 of those were from Illinois.

A passing train was the undoing of a West Frankfort man's alleged attempt flea police Saturday evening. 31 year old Johnathon Bowen was cited for felony DUI, felony aggravated fleeing and attempting to elude police and also felony driving while license was revoked after a train on the tracks in West Frankfort put a stop to a chase that started in Benton.

FEBRUARY 10-11TH, 2008:

A suspect has been arrested in the death of a West Frankfort man. Police say 22 year old David Cole Osborn is responsible for delivering methodone to Chad Wallace. Investigators say Wallace died after overdosing on the drug. His body was inside a West Frankfort apartment on January 11th, he was 25. Osborn is in the Franklin County jail awaiting a first court appearance.

A 35 year old Centralia man has had bond set at $25,000 on 2 counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a stolen registration sticker. Jason James was allegedly found in possession of Vicodin and Valium without a prescription following a traffic stop.

FEBRUARY 7TH-9TH, 2008:

Construction on the Armed Forces Reserve Center slated to be built in Mt.Vernon is on hold due to President George W. Bush's. Their waiting on him to sign the 2008 Military Construction Bill. The Department of Military Affairs allowed for $27 million in federal funding for the center which will be built in the Rolland Lewis Industrial Park just off of Shiloh Drive and Lake Terrace. The money was slated to be released to the National Guard this year and once the bids are awarded the Center will take about a year to build. It's expected to be constructed on about 23 acres and include a 73,850 square feet main building.

Hundreds of Southern Illinoians participated in a conference this week in the form of a public forum in Marion. There goal-to speak out against Ameren's plans to raise rates. It was the 1st in a series of 6 forums hosted by the state.

Strong Democratic turnout in Tuesday's Illinois Primary isn't a sign of bigger troubles for the Republican Party. So says former Govenor Jim Edger. He says more democratic ballots were polled in every race that he ran in.

The final numbers rolling in from Tuesday's Primary elections, several counties throughout the state voted overwhelmingly no suprise to support of a referandum that suggests an overhaul on how the U.S. government pays for Veterans health care. 14 of the 20 counties approved the question by more than 90%. Jefferson County approved it by 92%.

FEBRUARY 6TH, 2008:

Election results are as follows:

Marion County Treasurer Patti Hahn defeated Travis Lloyd in the Democratic Primary for the 107th District State Representative race. Hahn will face John Cavaletto in November. Final votes in the 4 county race was 8,968 for Hahn to 5,817 for Lloyd.

In the Jefferson County State's Attorney's race Jeff Bradley defeated Kent Renshaw handily with 4,114 votes to Renshaw's 2,257 votes.

The Jeffersoun County Board President race went to Ted Buck who defeated Rick Heck. Buck received 359 votes to Heck's 246.

The Appellate Court Judge Primary went to James Wexton with 5,418 to Judy Cates 1,672 votes.

The 3 way race for Jefferson County Coroner went to Eddie Joe Marks. He received 3,277 votes, Christine Hayes 2,241 and George Heff with 1,380 votes.

In other news.......

Salem Police have released details on an accident that claimed the life of a 23 year old Salem man. Benjamin Andrew Lance of Salem was attempting to back out of a drive way onto 127 from route 143 south of Greenville when a semi truck slammed into the side of Lance's vehicle. Lance was pronouned dead a short time later. The accident occurred during heavy fog.

FEBRUARY 5TH:

The attorney for the family of 2 sisters killed when their vehicle was struck by an Illinois State Trooper wants to know why Illinois and the State Police have scuttled plans on the independent probe of the accident. State Police last month had planned to turn over it's probe of the November 23rd crash that killed Jessica and Kelly Uhl of Collinsville. The probe is on hold as of right now.

JANUARY 30TH, 2008

1/30/08: MORE THAN A WEEK OF PROTESTS COULDN’T SAVE POLICE CHIEF PAUL BUDDY DAY’S JOB IN PICKNEYVILLE. THE COUNCIL VOTED TO OUST THE THIRTY YEAR VETERAN OF THE FORCE AT A MEETING MONDAY EVENING. THEIR VOTE WAS FOUR TO ONE. KENNY KELLY WAS APPOINTED AS THE NEW CHIEF AND WILL HOLD THAT POSITION FOR NINETY DAYS WHILE THE CITY LOOKS FOR SOMEONE TO HOLD THE POSITION PERMANETLY. MONDAY NIGHTS MEETING OVERFLOWED WELL BEYOND THE WALLS OF THE COUNCIL CHAMBER WITH PEOPLE SUPPORTING CHIEF DAY.

1/30/08: JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN TED BACH ACCUSED A FORMER OFFICE HOLDER OF PURPOSELY WITHOLDING FUNDS THAT COULD OF PREVENTED THE COUNTY’S PAST FISCAL PROBLEMS. BACH ANNOUNCED THAT IF IT HADN’T BEEN FOR THIS INCIDENT THAT MANY LAY OFFS AND JOB LOSES COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.

1/30/08: WOODLAWN GRADE SCHOOL WILL BE ABLE TO REPLACE IT’S GYM FLOOR THIS SUMMER THANKS TO A FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLAR DONATION FROM JACKSON HEWITT TAX SERVICES. THE SCHOOL HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FLOOR SWEATING AND OTHER ISSUES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. THE GYM HAS SEEN MORE USAGE AS THEY HAVE JUST HAD THEIR ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE AND THEY HAVE ALSO OPENED A MUSIC DEPARTMENT, WHICH PUTS ON PLAYS AND CONCERTS. THE PRINCIPAL SAYS THAT SUCH ACTIVITES WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE PLACE IF IT WASN’T FOR JACKSON HEWITT’S HOSPITALITY.

1/30/08: IN A SPLIT DECISION THE JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD HAS APPROVED A RESOLUTION IN WHICH THOSE CONVICTED OF MISTEMEANOR AND FELONIES WILL PAY THIRTY DOLLARS IN COURT FEES WHICH WILL BE EAR MARKED FOR THE AMY SCHULZ CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD COUNTY TED BACH SAYS IT AFFECTS THE MOST OFFENSELESS HUMAN BEINGS IN SOCIETY. HE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING MORE ATROCIOUS THAN THE SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A FIVE OR SIX YEAR OLD CHILD AND IF THE COUNTY CAN POSSIBLY DO ANYTHING, THEY WILL.

JANUARY 29TH, 2008

1/29/08: THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A BODY THAT’S BEEN FOUND IN MARSHALL FRIDAY MORNING. THE MARSHALL POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A CALL ABOUT THE BODY BEING FOUND IN A DUMPSTER IN THE 200 BLOCK OF WALNUT STREET. SATURDAY AN AUTOPSY WAS PERFORMED ON THE REMAINS OF THE UNIDENTIFIED DECEASED MALE. THE VICTIM IS BELIEVED TO BE ABOUT TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE, FIVE FOOT FIVE IN HEIGHT, ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY POUNDS WITH SHORT DARK HAIR, BROWN EYES, AND A SHORT GOATEE. THE VICTIM HAS NO TATTOOS OR SCARS AND HIS IDENTITY REMAINS UNKNOWN TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITITES. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THE IDENTITY OF THE DECEASED IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE INVESIGATIONS UNIT AT 217-347-2711.

JANUARY 28TH, 2008

1/28/08: MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES UNION AND SUPPORTERS OF THE UNION HELD AN INFORMATIONAL WALK AROUND THE COURTHOUSE SQUARE SATURDAY TO URGE RESIDENTS TO VOTE IN SPITE OF WARNINGS FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN TED BACH NOT TO PROCEED WITH THE ACTIVITY. BACH SAID THAT ANYONE WHO HAS HELPED WITH THE ACTIVITY WILL BE FACED WITH A FINE OF TWENTY FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS AND UP TO A YEAR IN JAIL.

1/28/08: AUTHORITIES IN BENTON CONTINUE TO INTERVIEW PEOPLE AFTER POLICE ARRESTED A BURGLARY SUSPECT BEFORE THE CRIME WAS COMMITED. THE CHIEF OF POLICE SAID OFFICERS FOUND THE SUBJECT DRESSED IN DARK CLOTHING LURKING AROUND THE LOGAN SCHOOL BUILDING WEDNESDAY EVENING. AFTER A PAT-DOWN SEARCH THE 18 YEAR OLD BOY FROM WEST FRANKFORT WAS ARRESTED FOR UNLAWFUL POSSESION OF BURGLARY TOOLS.

1/28/08: THE JEFFERSON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVE BOARD IS SPEAKING OUT AGAINST A PROPOSAL THAT AIMS TO DEVERT THE CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY LINE FROM UNION STATION IN CHICAGO, WHICH WOULD EFFECT AM-TRAK SERVICE IN CENTRALIA, DUQUOIN, AND CARBONDALE. THE CHAMBER IS MAKING A SERIOUS EFFORT TO PROMOTE REGIONAL ECONOMY AND HAS ALREADY CO-SPONSORED TWO LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST FOR SOUTHERN ILLINOIS BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.

1/28/08: JEFFERSON COUNTIES RECEIPTS FROM THE FOURTH PERCENT PUBLIC SAFETY TAX MAY HAVE BEEN DOWN FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR, BUT OVERALL TAX RECEIPTS WERE ONLY DOWN THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS. IT IS THE THIRD TIME THE PUBLIC SAFETY TAX HAS BEEN DOWN IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.THE FISCAL YEAR FOR THE COUNTY BEGAN IN DECEMBER WITH THE PUBLIC SAFETY TAX RECEIPTS UP BY ABOUT THREE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED NINETY EIGHT DOLLARS OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR. OTHER TAXES COLLECTED BY THE COUNTY ARE THE FOURTH PERCENT SALES TAX, THE ONE PERCENT SALES TAX, THE INCOME TAX, AND THE LOCAL USE TAX.

1/28/08: A ONE AND A HALF MONTH AMNESTY PERIOD IS COMING UP FOR ILLINOIS BUSINESSES THAT ARE NOT SQUARE WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATES OFFICE. THE PROGRAM IS FOR CORPORATIONS THAT OWE FRANCHISE TAX, LISCENSING FEES, OR BOTH TO THE STATE. THE AMNESTY RUNS FROM FEBRUARY 1^ST THROUGH MARCH 17^TH. PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES MUST PAY OVERDUE FEES AND THEN BE OBSOLVED OF CRUDE PENALTIES AND INTERESTS.

1/28/08: THE JEFFERSON COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER HAS HAD AN AVERAGE DAILY POPULATION OF SOME ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FOUR INMATES AND ACCORDING TO REPORTS FROM THE CENTER OF THE INMATES, FIFETY NINE OF THEM WERE FROM WITHIN THE COUNTY AND ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN FROM OUTSIDE THE COUNTY.

JANUARY 25TH, 2008

1/25/08: THE TIME IS HERE ONCE AGAIN TO NOMINATE THE 2008 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AND 2008 SMALL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR. JEFFERSON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FLOYD BROOKMAN SAID THAT THEY HAVE MOVED IT UP THIS YEAR BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO BE HONORED DURING THE ANNUAL CHAMBER BANQUET WHICH HAS BEEN MOVED TO MARCH TWENTY-EIGHTH.

1/25/08: A TWENTY ONE YEAR OLD RURAL CENTRALIA MAN HAS PLEADED GUILTY IN MARION COUNTY COURT TO DRUG INDUCED HOMICIDE, OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE, AND POSSESION OF A CONTROLED SUBSTANCE. TYLER MOORE OF BURGE ROW WILL FACE BETWEEN TEN AND TWENTY YEARS IN PRISON WHEN SENTENCED MARCH FOURTEENTH. HE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH INJECTED HIMSELF AND A WOMAN WITH HEROIN LAST SEPTEMBER AND THEN FAILING TO GET MEDICAL ASSITANCE DESPITE BEING CONCERNED ABOUT HER BREATHING PATTERNS. MOORE LATER FOUND HER DEAD AFTER FALLING ASLEEP.

1/25/08: DEER HUNTING IN ILLINOIS RAPPED UP THE 2007-2008 HUNTING SEASON WITH HIGHER HARVEST DURING LAST WEEKS LATE WINTER DEER HUNT WHILE THE 3.5 MONTH ARCHERY DEER SEASON ENDED WITH A HARVEST SLIGHTLY BELOW LAST YEARS TOTAL. HUNTERS IN ILLINOIS TOOK A PRELIMINARY SIXTY FOUR THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED SEVENTEEN DEER DURING THE ARCHERY DEER SEASON. DOWN ABOUT 1.5% COMPARED WITH THE ARCHERY DEER HARVEST OF 2006-2007. LOCALLY THEY SHOWED THAT IN JEFFERSON COUNTY HUNTERS HAVESTED ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED TWO DEER WHICH IS NINE LESS THAN LAST YEAR.

1/25/08: THE CITY OF CENTRALIA IS MOVING FORWARD ON A PLAN TO JUMP START DEVELOPMENT AROUND RACOON LAKE AND PARTS OF THE CITY’S EAST SIDE THROUGH THE CREATION OF A NEW TAX INCREMENT FINANCING OR TIF DISTRICT. THE TIF WILL CAPTURE ANY INCREASE IN PROPERTY VALUE AS A RESULT OF THE PROPERTY INPROVEMENTS FOR THE USE OF THE CITY IN MAKING IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AREA.

1/25/08: FOUR FRANKLIN COUNTY TEENAGERS RECEIVED MAJOR INJURIES IN A ONE CAR CRASH NEAR BACHNER. THREE OF THE TEENAGERS, ALL OF WHICH ARE FROM CHRISTOPHER, HAD TO BE AIRLIFTED TO MISSOURI HOSPITALS AFTER THE CRASH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, WHILE THE FOURTH TEENAGER WAS TAKEN TO THE FRANKLIN COUNTY HOSPITAL ACCORDING THE TO FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE. THEY SAY THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN, LEPT THE ROADWAY, STRUCK A CURB, THEN WENT AIR BORN AND CAME TO REST IN A DITCH.

JANUARY 24TH, 2008

1/24/08: ON JANUARY 22^ND, THE MT. VERNON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE NARCOTICS DIVISION CONDUCTED ALCOHOL SALES COMPLIANCE INVESTIGATIONS UTILIZING A COOPORATING UNDERAGE PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO PURCHASE ALCOHOL AT 11 DIFFERENT BUSINESS’ IN MT. VERNON. ALL OF THE BUSINESS’ FOLLOWED PROPER PROTOCAL AND PROCEDURE IN CHECKING IDENTIFICATION OF THE PERSON ATTEMPTING TO PURCHASE ALCOHOL.

1/24/08: NEW INFORMATION OBTAINED BY DISTRICT 80 WILL BE DISCUSSED AS IT RELATES TO THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING AN ALTERNATIVE CALENDAR TONIGHT. THE MEETING WILL BE HELD FROM 6PM UNTIL 7:30PM AT THE PRIMARY CENTER AND IT WILL BE DISCUSSED TO RESPONSES WHICH WERE RECEIVED FROM AREA ORGANIZATIONS THAT COULD BE IMPACTED IF STUDENTS AND THE DISTRICT DECIDE TO ADOPT A BALANCED CALENDAR AND WHAT THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEYS THAT WERE SENT TO OTHER DISTRICTS IN THE STATE WHICH ALSO HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE CALENDAR. THEY RECEIVED 7 RESPONSES BACK OUT OF 11 SCHOOLS THEY SENT THEM TO ACCORDING TO SUPER INTENDENT DR. KEVIN SETTLE. HE THINKS THE REOCCURING THEME IS THERE IS A GENERAL FEELING THAT IT DOES IMPROVE ACADEMIC ACHEIVEMENT.

1/24/08: FUTURE PLANS FOR THE WORK OF JEFFERSON COUNTY’S DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WERE HIGHLIGHTED DURING A PRESENTATION IN THEIR ANNUAL REPORT TO THE MT. VERNON CITY COUNCIL THIS WEEK. THEIR PLANS FOR 2008 INCLUDE HITTING RETENTION AND EXPANSION.

1/24/08: AFTER ITS FIRST YEAR THE YOUTH BUILD PROGRAM HAS BEEN DEEMED A SUCCESS AND HAS RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL FEDERAL GRANT FOR EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR EXPANSION DURING THE NEXT TWO YEARS OF THE PROGRAM. THE NOT FOR PROFIT PROGRAM ADMINISTERED THROUGH THE UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN HOME IS A PROGRAM WHICH ADDRESSES HOUSING, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, CRIME PROVENTION, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ACCORDING TO INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE CHILDRENS HOME. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES EDUCATION TO LOW INCOME YOUTHS AGE 16 TO 24.

1/24/08: POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS AND CONTRIBUTIONS IN SPENDING ARE ALL DETAILED IN A NEW DISCLOSURE REPORT AND ONE POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR FINDS MANY OF THOSE DETAILS INTERESTING. KENT REDFIELD OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS IN SPRINGFIELD SAYS, “WHERE GOVENOR ROB BLAGOJEVICH IS SPENDING HS CAMPAIGN MONEY IS JUST AS INTERESTING AS WHERE HE IS GETTING HIS CONTRIBUTIONS.” THE BLAGOJEVICH CAMPAIGN LISTED LEGAL FEES TO CHICAGO FIRM WINSTON & STRAWN THAT TOTALED SOME NINE HUNDRED SIXTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS.

1/24/08: STATE REPERSENTATIVE KAREN MORGAN IS PUSHING FOR AN EXPANSION TO THE 2004 LAW THAT REQUIRES NEW TEACHERS TO BE FINGER PRINTED AND SUBJECT TO A BACKGROUND CHECK. GORDON WANTS TO EXPAND THE LAW TO INCLUDE ALL TEACHERS, NOT JUST THOSE THAT WERE RECENTLY HIRED.

1/24/08: SURGERY PATIENTS AT ST. MARY'S MIGHT HAVE A SHORTER HOSPITAL STAY AND SMALLER SCARS, THAT THANKS TO A NEW SURGERY PROCEDURE OFFERED THERE. LEPROSCOPIC SURGERY, ALSO KNOWN AS MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY USES FEWER INCISIONS IN THE SURGICAL AREA THAN TRADITIONAL. A SMALL SCOPE IS USED TO VIEW THE ORGANS BEING OPERATED ON WHILE THE SURGEN IS GIVEN MAGNIFIED IMAGES ON A TELEVISION MONITOR. SURGICAL IMPLEMENTS ARE PLACED IN OTHER INCISIONS ALLOWING THE SURGEN TO OPPERATE ON THE PATIENT REMOTELY. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PROCEDURE, CALL THE SURGERY OFFICE AT 436-5200.

JANUARY 23, 2008

1/23/08: THE BELLE RIVE VILLAGE BOARD VOTED 5 TO 0 IN FAVOR OF THE REINSTATION OF LANCE THACKERY AS THE COMMUNITY'S FIRE CHIEF. THE MEETING CAME ONE WEEK AFTER MAYOR DONNIE WILKEY HAD SOUGHT THE BOARDS APPROVAL IN HIS DECISION TO DISMISS THACKERY AS BELLE RIVE VOLUNTEER FIRE CHIEF. AFTER AN HOUR LONG SESSION ON MONDAY THACKERY WAS HIRED BACK AS THE FIRE CHIEF OF BELLE RIVE.

1/23/08: THE SKILLED CARE CENTER AT PICKNEYVILLE HOSPITAL WILL BE CLOSING BY THE END OF THE YEAR, AS THE HOSPITAL WAITS WORD FROM THE STATE ON WHEN THE FACILITY SHOULD OFFICIALLY END IT'S SERVICES. THE CENTER HAS GIVEN PATIENTS WHO NEED LONG TERM CARE A PLACE TO STAY, THERE ARE ABOUT 44 PATIENTS IN THE 50 BED FACILITY.

1/23/08: THE JEFFERSON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HAS GONE FROM A PUBLIC PRIVATE ECONOMIC ENGINE INTO A SELF SUPPORTIVE PROGRAM IN THE LAST 20 MONTHS ACCORDING TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARY ELLEN BECHTOLD. SHE SAYS THEY'VE HAD $87,600 IN DONATIONS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR THIS YEAR AND HAVE RECEIVED $16,675 FROM IN KIND SERVICES INCLUDING ACCOUNTING AND LEGAL SERVICES.

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