Traffic backed up on I-57 after motorcycle crash

Submitted by KFVS Web Staff

Friday, July 22nd, 2011, 12:41pm

Traffic was backed up Friday morning on the southbound lanes of Interstate 57 after a motorcycle crash.

The crashed happened around 10 a.m. in the southbound lanes of I-57 between West Frankfort and Benton.

At least one motorcycle was involved.

A helicopter landed on the interstate to take someone to the hospital. No word on that person's condition.

Traffic was backed up for miles, but the lanes reopened about 10:50 a.m. and traffic was moving slowly.

Stay with Heartland News and kfvs12.com for updates.

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Funeral arrangements set for 8-year-old Alexus Smothers

Submitted by KFVS Web Staff

Friday, July 22nd, 2011, 12:31pm

Funeral services will be held tomorrow for a little girl found dead in her home earlier this week.

Services for Alexus Smothers are Saturday in Christopher.

A visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Christian Fellowship Church. A funeral service will follow.

Also, the mother of the 8-year-old girl found dead in her basement Tuesday faces new charges.

The Franklin County State's Attorney filed formal charges of concealment of a homicidal death and obstructing justice against 28-year-old Mary R. Zumwalt-Jophlin.

Zumwalt-Jophlin walked into court with her head down. Inside court, the 28 year old kept her head down. But once the judge started to read the newly filed charges Zumwalt-Jophlin appeared to cry.

According to court documents, Zumwalt-Jophlin allegedly hid the death of her daughter Alexus Smothers. The state accuses Zumwalt-Jophlin of knowing her 8 year old had died by homicidal means.

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Annual two mile cross country walk/run for life benefit

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Friday, July 22nd, 2011, 10:58am

Annual two mile cross country walk/run for life benefit

WEST FRANKFORT, IL (KFVS) - The First Annual Chris M. Griffin Two Mile Cross Country Walk/Run for Life benefit will be Saturday, July 30.

Registration starts at 6:30 a.m. and the walk will start at 8 a.m.

It will be in the Community Park located at 1004 East Cleveland Street in West Frankfort, Ill. Registration will be at the West Frankfort Aquatic Center at the park.

Organizers say the course is flat, fast and shady.

It costs $20 to participate and the first 150 entries will get a t-shirt. You can make checks payable to "CMG Run." All proceeds will go to suicide prevention.

For more information, you can e-mail bradblakey@gmail.com or call Joyce Griffin at 618-525-2340.

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Electric co-ops ask customers to reduce electricity use

Submitted by KFVS Web Staff

Thursday, July 21st, 2011, 10:22pm

Several electric cooperatives in southeast Missouri and southern Illinois are asking customers to minimize their use of electricity from noon until 7 p.m. on Thursday.

The Midwest Interconnection System Operator (MISO) has forecasted a generation shortfall within the MISO operating area between noon 7 p.m. Thursday.

MISO has requested the voluntary load reduction due to the hot, humid weather, to help ensure reliable generation of delivery of electricity throughout the Midwest.

Reducing the electric usage can minimize the impact of this electric power shortage and help keep costs down.

These tips come from Citizens Electric Coop:

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Franklin Hospital cuts staff and pay

Submitted by KFVS Web Staff

Thursday, July 21st, 2011, 8:45am

The changing economic times in the medical world is now costing a dozen people their jobs at the Franklin Hospital in Benton, Illinois.

"We've had to reduce some of our personnel in a number of areas. We've had to combine some departments," said Mike Budnick Franklin Hospital COO & Clinic Manager.

"While painful this will assure us that we're moving forward. And helping us to not be too worried about the changing economic scene in Medicare and Medicaid."

Which Budnick says makes up more than 75-percent of the hospitals yearly revenue.

"We take patients here no matter what. And as such that really straps the organization. And so as we've been facing less and less reimbursement, we realized we have to make some changes here to more closely match revenue to expenses," said Budnick.

The remaining staff will take a 2% pay cut, management and administrators pay will be cut from 2% to 15%.

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Identity of West Frankfort 8-year-old found dead released

Submitted by KFVS Web Staff

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011, 7:21pm

Police have released the name of the 8-year-old girl found dead at her home in West Frankfort.

West Frankfort Police Chief Jeff Tharp says Alexus N. Smothers was found dead Tuesday.

Smothers' mother, Mary R. Zumwalt-Jophlin, 28, is being held in connection with her 8-year-old daughter's death.

According to West Frankfort Police Chief Jeff Tharp, Mary R. Zumwalt-Jophlin is in the Franklin County Jail on a charge of concealment of a death.

Jennifer Gaskin is Joplin's sister. She says just a few months ago Zumwalt-Jophlin and her kids lived at her home.

"If she would have lived with me the next four months this wouldn't have happened," Gaskin said.

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Franklin Hospital announces it will make staff cuts, expense reductions

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011, 4:01pm

Franklin Hospital announces it will make staff cuts, expense reductions

BENTON, IL (KFVS) - The administration at Franklin Hospital announced Friday, July 15 they will be taking steps to reduce their overall operating expenses.

The hospital says it will be making these steps so it can continue to provide the health care services that the people of Franklin County have come to expect.

According to the hospital, the budgeted expenses for fiscal 2012 calls for expenditures of almost $19 million, as approved by the Board of Directors.

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