A fire at the Crownline Boats plant in West Frankfort early Wednesday morning shuts down production for the day.

West Frankfort Fire Department Chief Wes Taylor says his department was called out at 1 a.m. Wednesday.  Taylor says fire started in two small places in the ventilation system.  By the time, crews arrived two employees had extinguished the fires.  Firefighters ventilated the building until 4 a.m.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Employees in certain departments will work to meet year end dealer production requirements. 

Taylor says the plant is shutdown Wednesday.  Necessary cleaning and testing of the system will be Dec. 22, according to a release from the company.

Employees required to work Thursday will be notified by their supervisor.

Crownline will resume production on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

(KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Natural  Resources (IDNR) announced Wednesday that controlled  pheasant hunting seasons have been extended at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area in Franklin and Jefferson counties.

State officials say Wednesday, January 11, 2012 through Sunday, January 15, 2012,  have been added at both Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area in Clinton County and at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area.

The five-day extention has been schedueld because officials say IDNR Wildlife Propagation Centers have had a better than expected pheasant production season in 2011.

Hunters are asked to use the online Controlled Pheasant Hunting Reservation System online to secure permits for the additional hunting days.

Officials say the daily permit fee for controlled pheasant hunting is $25 for resident hunters and $35 for nonreside

(KFVS) - Illinois Department of Transportation workers donated nearly 1,200 pounds of food and supplies to be sent to military personnel serving overseas through the holidays.

IDOT staff participated in a collection drive for the Operation Support Our Troops - America organizations, which they say also resulted in more than 170 Christmas cards and personal letters going to armed service members.

"We should always remember the sacrifice our men and women serving overseas make each day and do what we can to express our gratitude and support," said Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider. "I am very proud of the diligence and compassion shown by the employees at IDOT. They made a commitment to contribute their time and money to show our troops how much we appreciate them for all they do."