News

When news of Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposal to shutter Tamms Correctional Center could result in a number of its inmates getting sent to other states, State Senator Gary Forby, D-Benton, wasted no time in issuing a press release Monday blasting the governor for outsourcing Illinois jobs. “Pat Quinn likes to …

Southernmost counties eligible Reprinted with permission from the July 16 edition of Farm Week Thirty-seven counties, primarily in Southern Illinois (see map), were approved Friday for emergency use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres to start Aug. 2, announced Scherrie Giamanco, Farm Service Agency (FSA) state executive director. The list …

Author’s note: In the course of writing this article, outside of those interviewed for the story, nearly 100 percent of the people I’ve spoken to this past week regarding the issue of Fracking have never heard of the process and knew next to nothing of its probable proximity in Johnson …

Rex and Betsy Wright, of Vienna, died Wednesday, July 11 from injuries they sustained in a head-on vehicle crash. The accident happened Tuesday evening in a construction zone in the Indianapolis, Ind. area. Details of the accident were not available. Betsy died at 6:10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Vincent Hospital …

After 30 years of operating the store at the intersection of Rt. 146 and I-24, Bill and Sue Cagle has sold the Cagle’s BP station to Long and Golightly of Paducah. The Paducah firm will operate the store as a Cheer’s Convenience Store beginning July 12. The firm has three …

The Vienna Fire Department responded Sunday morning to reports of a semi-truck trailer on fire along the east-bound entrance ramp of I-24, near Rt. 146. The department spent approximately 2 1/2 hours containing a blaze that destroyed a 53 foot Mayflower moving trailer and its contents that may have contained …

The National Weather Service out of Paducah, Ky. issued an Excessive Heat Warning for Johnson County and other parts of Southern Illinois early Friday at 3:20 a.m. and is to remain in effect until 7 p.m. Saturday. Below is a copy of the warning: AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN …

Illinois State Police District 22 personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash that occurred on Friday, June 29 at approximately 9:40 p.m. A 2006 red Ford pick-up truck, driven by Roy M. (Mike) Scarborough, age 63, of Simpson, was travelling northbound when his truck allegedly crossed the centerline into the southbound …

Submitted by Johnson County 9-11 Coordinator Jim Cuff Recently in Johnson County there have been several discussions about the issuance of burning permits and a burning ban. Both of these subjects have merit and could be beneficial in certain situations. There are many variables in the individual situations that affect …

Johnson County treasurer Carol Stockdale sent real estate and mobile home bills Friday afternoon to taxpayers. The county sent out a total of 7,796 pieces of mail (up 73 from the year prior) and spent $3,698.19 on postage for both real estate and mobile home bills, she said. Stockdale also …