Our network

West Frankfort Library story hour

West Frankfort Library story hour

WEST FRANKFORT, IL (KFVS) - The West Frankfort Public Library will have a story hour on Tuesday, June 21.

The story hour will be for three, four and five year olds.

It will be at 11 a.m. at the library.

Copyright 2011 KFVS. All rights reserved.

Community Sponsors

Our Family Caring for Your Family

Weekend storms cause damage in Mo., Ill.

There was some damage reported with area storms in the Heartland this weekend. Power outages and wind damage were reported in Mo. and  Ill. into mid-Sunday morning.

Ameren Illinois - Power outages by county as of 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 19

Alexander - 1

Franklin - 71

Jackson - 35

Jefferson - 344

Perry - 11

Total Illinois - 1,281

Ameren Missouri - Power outages by county as of 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 19

Cape Girardeau - 13

Iron- 183

Saint Francois - 117

Total Missouri - 4,169

NWS Storm reports: Sunday, June 19

3:22 a.m. - Power outages and wind damage reported in Perryville, Mo.

3:45 a.m. - 83 mph winds measured in Perry County, Ill.

Benton, Ill. police chief resigns

Benton Police Chief Lance Charleson has resigned from his post.

The city council accepted the chief's resignation Friday morning, effective immediately.

Charleson says it was for medical reasons and he is very disappointed to have to call it quits.

Charleson was Benton's chief for a year and two months.

Benton Mayor Gary Kraft says Detective Mike Andrews has been appointed interim chief.

The city will begin taking resumes in the next month to begin the search for a new chief.

Copyright 2011 KFVS. All rights reserved.

Fourteen flood affected southern Ill. counties to get unemployment aid

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced Thursday that the federal government approved his request for Disaster Unemployment Assistance for the residents of 14 southern Ill. counties affected by spring flooding.

The assistance is available to people who live or work in Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Hardin, Jackson, Lawrence, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, White and Williamson counties, who were unable to work because of the disaster.

"This assistance will help families get through this difficult time," said Gov. Quinn. "The historic flooding this spring disrupted the lives of thousands of people across southern Ill., keeping many people from being able to go back to work to support their families. We will continue doing all we can to help those impacted by flooding to rebuild and recover."

Fighting mosquitos begins in your backyard

Spring rains have brought mosquito breeding to many southern Illinois backyards, and with it the risk of West Nile Virus, according to the University of Illinois Extension.

"The first step to fighting mosquitos begins in your backyard," according to Rhonda Feree, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.

West Nile Virus is most frequently transmitted through the house mosquito, according the extension. They state the insect can only fly about 1 and one-half miles, and the mosquito usually breeds and lives in  backyards.

Mosquito eggs and larvae must have water to live. Water sources have to be removed as soon as possible from residential yards and communities, according to the extension.

Couponing class available at West Frankfort library

WEST FRANKFORT, IL (KFVS) - The West Frankfort Public Library will have a couponing class on Saturday, June 18.

The class will start at 11 a.m.

Copyright KFVS 2011. All rights reserved.

Health department warns of childhood drowning dangers

The Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department warns families of the dangers of childhood drowning.

Governor Pat Quinn proclaimed May as Childhood Drowning Prevention month in Illinois.

It is important to actively supervise children when they are in or near water to prevent accidental tragedies from drowning, according to Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department.

In Illinois, 19 children lost their lives due to accidental drowning in 2009. Drowning is the leading cause of deaths in children ages 1 to 4.

The American Red Cross identifies four crucial elements to childhood water safety: