Fire Chief Salaries Vary Widely Across Southern Illinois
A new comparison shows fire chief pay across Southern Illinois ranges from about 75 thousand to just over 97 thousand dollars, even in similarly sized communities. The issue gained attention after West Frankfort held its chief salary at 80 thousand dollars, prompting the chief to step down. Departments also differ widely in staffing and call […]
Read MoreState Fire Marshal Investigating Deadly Franklin County House Fire
A deadly house fire in Franklin County is under investigation by the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office. Crews were called to a trailer on South Stuyvesant Street near Benton Monday morning, where flames were already visible. One person was killed and the home was destroyed, with multiple area departments responding. Authorities have not released the […]
Read MoreDriver Crashes Into Lake After Carbondale Boat Ramp Incident
A traffic crash in Carbondale ended with a vehicle submerged in Cedar Lake and the driver under arrest. Police say 48 year old Matthew H. Burrows of Iowa, struck another vehicle at the Cedar Lake boat ramp, then drove down the ramp and into the water while trying to leave the scene. A passenger from […]
Read MoreBears Re Sign Jaylon Jones To One Year Deal
The Chicago Bears are bringing back cornerback Jaylon Jones on a one-year deal. Jones, an undrafted free agent in 2022, returns for his fifth season after a brief stint with Arizona last offseason. He’s been a key contributor on special teams, recording 12 tackles last year and 31 over his career, the most on the […]
Read MoreArkansas Man Gets 17 Years For Armed Motel Robbery
A federal judge has sentenced 36 year old Rickey Martin Junior to 210 months in prison for a gunpoint motel robbery in Maryville. He pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and using a firearm during a violent crime. Investigators say Martin threatened a motel owner with a loaded gun in May 2023 and stole cash […]
Read MoreSaline County Man Sentenced In Child Exploitation Case
A Saline County man is headed to federal prison after admitting to receiving child sexual abuse material. 51 year old James Troy Martin of Carrier Mills was sentenced to nine years behind bars after pleading guilty to two counts involving child pornography. Authorities say he received images of minors engaged in explicit conduct between February […]
Read MoreCarbondale Transit Entrance Relocation Delayed
The City of Carbondale is delaying plans to relocate the transit and passenger drop-off entrance at the Southern Illinois Multimodal Station. The change, originally set for tomorrow, is on hold due to construction issues. Officials say the current temporary entrance along South Illinois Avenue will stay in place until further notice. Passengers and drivers are […]
Read MoreRend Lake College Launches Scholarship Matching Program
The Rend Lake College Foundation is launching a new High 5 Scholarship Match program aimed at boosting long-term financial aid for students. The initiative allows donors to create or grow endowed scholarships while the foundation provides matching funds to expand the impact. The effort is backed by its first endowment from Legence Bank. College officials […]
Read MoreIllinois Republicans Push Child Protection Legislation
Illinois Senate Republicans are rolling out a new legislative package aimed at cracking down on crimes against children, including trafficking, grooming, and exploitation. Lawmakers say the plan would toughen penalties, close gaps in current law, and block plea deals for serious offenses involving minors. One proposal would also require sex offender registration for those secretly […]
Read MoreIllinois Police Warn Drivers Ahead Of St Patrick’s Day
Illinois transportation officials and state police are stepping up enforcement for St Patrick’s Day with a warning to motorists: drive sober or face a DUI. Authorities say alcohol, cannabis and even some prescription drugs can impair judgment and reaction time, increasing the risk of serious crashes. State data shows more than three thousand crashes occurred […]
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