Governor announces $100 million in funding to be given to local officials

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Saturday, June 25th, 2011, 10:00am

FRANKLIN COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - Governor Pat Quinn announced Thursday $100 million in Illinois Jobs Now! funding will be given to local officials to repair municipal, township and count infrastructure along with improving public safety.

“The important capital investment will help communities throughout our state to address their infrastructure needs directly and create jobs at the same time,” said Governor Quinn. “Our local communities are the backbone of Illinois and need to stay strong and keep our economic recovery going.”

The announcement is through the six-year, $31 billion program and represents the second of five $100 million annual investments to fund projects statewide.

The projects will be picked and managed locally, with the Illinois Department of Transportation providing insight.

Types of projects include street and bridge maintenance, upgraded traffic signals, new storm sewers and bike paths, sidewalk replacement and pothole repair.

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Sesser teen enters guilty plea for violent home invasion

Submitted by KFVS Web Staff

Friday, June 24th, 2011, 3:46pm

A Franklin County teenager has pleaded guilty under a plea deal stemming from a violent home invasion in Sesser.

According to Franklin County State's Attorney Evan Owens, under a plea deal, Jacob Bohannon, 19, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder and one count of home invasion.

Bohannon was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the attempted murder charge and 10 years for the home invasion charge.

He will serve a total of 35 years.

In exchange for the guilty plea, one additional count of attempted murder and home invasion were dismissed.

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West Frankfort Relay for Life event

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Friday, June 24th, 2011, 1:22pm

WEST FRANKFORT, IL (KFVS) - The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event will be Friday, June 24.

The Relay for Life will be at the Frankfort Community Park starting at 6 p.m.

For more information, you can visit the relay's website.

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Free HIV testing at Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department

Submitted by Christy Hendricks

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011, 3:22pm

Free HIV testing at Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department

The Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health department is offering free walk-in HIV testing on June 27 and June 28.

The free testing is available at the Franklin County office at 403 East Park, Benton, IL on June 27 and at the Williamson County office at 8160 Express Drive, Marion, IL on June 28.

The testing will be available from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Testing will be confidential and anonymous. It will be done using a rapid fingerstick testing device that provided results in 15 minutes.

Every nine and a half minutes, someone is infected with HIV in the United States, according to the Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate about 56,300 new HIV infection occur each year. More than 1 million people in the U.S.

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West Frankfort man arrested after "substantial quantity" of cocaine found

Submitted by Christy Hendricks

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011, 9:09am

West Frankfort man arrested after "substantial quantity" of cocaine found

WEST FRANKFORT, IL (KFVS) - A West Frankfort man faces several drug charges after police find cocaine at his home.

Jimmy W. Leach, 30, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, and possession of a weapon by a felon.

Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones says several agencies searched Leach's home on June 22 and found a substantial quantity of cocaine, U.S. currency, illegal firearms, and other items associated with the delivery of cocaine.

Jones says the search warrant was the culmination of an extensive investigation by the DuQuoin Office of the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force.

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Waltonville man sentenced to more than 11 years in prison

Submitted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 22nd, 4:47 pm

BENTON, IL (KFVS) - A Waltonville man was sentenced June 22 at United States District Court in Benton, Illinois for drug charges.

Jason R.W. Green, 34, of Waltonville, IL was sentenced to serve an 11 year and three month prison term, pay a $200 fine and $100 in special assessments, and to serve a three year term of supervised release following his prison sentence.

According to United States Attorney Stephen R.

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One injured, hundreds lost power in southern Ill. after storms

Submitted by KFVS Web Staff

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011, 2:24pm

One storm related injury has been reported in Sesser.

Officials from the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency say the city of Sesser appears to be the most affected area with downed trees, power lines, and some damages to homes and businesses.

Storm reports from the Emergency Manager in Franklin County reports wind gusts to 65 miles per hour. About 20 trees were uprooted. One building that was under construction was leveled.

Franklin County EMA reminds residents to play it safe when cleaning up debris from the storm. Some roads are blocked by downed trees and drivers are reminded to use caution when traveling. Unnecessary travel in the area is discouraged at this time.

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