FEMA assistance deadline for Ill. coming up

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011, 12:49pm

FEMA assistance deadline for Ill. coming up

FRANKLIN COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The deadline to apply for individual disaster assistance for Illinois residents will be Monday, August 8.

This is for homeowners and renters affected by storms, flooding or tornadoes between April 19 and June 6.

You can FEMA's website, visit disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 to register.

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Buckner Assistant Fire Chief charged with sexual abuse

Submitted by KFVS Web Staff

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011, 12:33pm

The Buckner Assistant Fire Chief is out of a job and behind bars.

Police arrested 35-year-old Joseph Melvin on the evening of July 21 at his home on Newton Street.

He's being charged with Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse of a young girl under 13 years of age.

The alleged abuse is reported to have taken place in Melvin's home on the evening of July 20. That's when one of Melvin's daughter's friends spent the night in the home. The next day she told police that Melvin had touched her.

Melvin was promoted to assistant chief for the Village of Buckner Fire Department this past year.

"He's been an outstanding fireman and great civil servant," said Mayor John Coder. "He's done anything and everything the fire department asked of him, this all comes as a shock to us all."

The mayor says since his arrest Melvin's duties at the fire department have been suspended.

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West Frankfort team wins 5th place, $500 at bass tournament

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011, 10:46am

West Frankfort team wins 5th place, $500 at bass tournament

WEST FRANKFORT, IL (KFVS) - The team of two West Frankfort men won fifth place at the Rodney J. Brenner Memorial Buddy Bass Tournament on Saturday.

Toby Corn and Neil McCord of West Frankfort, Ill. won fifth place and $500 for their overall catch of 14.75 pounds.

Other winners include:

1st place ($3,250) - Rick Byrnes of Tamaroa, Ill. and Bill Penrod of Eldorado, Ill. weighed in at 16.67 pounds overall
2nd place ($2,250) - Vernon Williams of Pittsburg, Ill. and Billy Dean of Johnson City, Ill. weighed it at 16.135 pounds
3rd place ($1,250) - Ronnie Siress of Benton, Ky. and Tad Richards of Maryland Heights, Mo., weighing in at 15.155 pounds
4th place ($750) - Jon Schoonover of Carterville, Ill. and Dan Kahrhoff of Breese, Ill. weighed in at 15.095 pounds

In the Big Bass Competition, winners include:

1st place ($396) - Marvin Beussink of Jackson, Mo. and Tim Kluesner of Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Dr. Rice with Big Bass winners Marvin Beussink and Tim Kluesner (Source: Angela Wilson, Southeastern Illinois College)

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Assistant Buckner fire chief accused of sexual abuse

Submitted by Christy Hendricks

Monday, July 25th, 2011, 5:06pm

Assistant Buckner fire chief accused of sexual abuse

BUCKNER, IL (KFVS) - The assistant fire chief for the Buckner Fire Department has been charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Joseph Melvin, 35, was removed from his position as assistant fire chief after his arrest, according to the Buckner Fire Chief.

The offense allegedly took place at Melvin's home.

His bond was set at $50,000.

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Red Cross: Blood supply remains seriously low

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Monday, July 25th, 2011, 2:19pm

Red Cross: Blood supply remains seriously low

FRANKLIN COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The local Red Cross reports their blood supply remains seriously low and reminds eligible blood donors to make and keep appointments.

On Monday, the American Red Cross said their supplies remain low even after thousands of area supporters responded to the national appeal for blood donations. They say blood products are going out to area hospitals just as quickly as donations are coming in.

According to the Red Cross, the massive heat wave overtaking most of the country is hurting blood collection at a time when the Red Cross has been working to rebuild its inventories.

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Rend Lake fishing report

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Monday, July 25th, 2011, 11:56am

FRANKLIN COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Rend Lake fishing report for Monday, July 25 is available.

Largemouth bass:

Rating - good
Bait of choice - worms, rattle traps, jigs and trailer, spinner baits, square bill crank baits
Suggested locations - Fish in shallow bays near brush cover and bushes. Fish around bridges and along the rocks. Fish being caught in 4-6 feet of water
Regulations - 14 inch minimum length limit, six daily creel limit. One fish daily creel limit in ponds 14 inch minimum length

Crappie:

Rating - excellent
Bait of choice - fish with medium and small minnows. Quarter-ounce pink and white tub jigs
Suggested locations - Fish are in the deep water. Fish 12-13 feet deep over brush and on edges of water.

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8-year-old found dead in home to be laid to rest Saturday

Submitted by KFVS Web Staff

Saturday, July 23rd, 2011, 1:27pm

Saturday family and friends will gather to bid a final farewell to an eight-year-old girl found dead inside a West Frankfort home.

Funeral services for Alexus Smothers are set for this morning in Christopher. visitation will run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Light the Way Christian Fellowship Church in Christopher on Saturday, July 23.

Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the church.

The girl's mother, Mary Zumwalt-Jophlin, is charged with concealment of a homicidal death and obstructing justice.

Authorities say Zumwalt-Jophlin lied to police, initially saying the little girl was missing.

Investigators are waiting for autopsy results to determine an exact cause of death.

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