KEYESTONE PIPELINE WORK GOING ON IN COUNTY
If you’ve traveled I-70 recently, you’ve probably noticed that work has started on the Bond County part of the Keystone Pipeline between Pocahontas and Greenville. According to Jim Prescott, public consultant for the Keystone pipeline project, the pipeline crews are currently working on the section of pipe that will go under I-70. Prescott said the pipeline work is going on now from South Dakota all the way to Illinois, with multiple crews working at the same time. And the pipeline project is continuing to grow with an expansion planned down south that would take the pipeline into Texas. This expansion would bring the overall pipeline project to around 4,000 miles. The expansion of the project does not include any changes to where the pipeline is going in Bond County or to the size of the pipe.
END OF THE LINE...SO FAR...NEAR I-70
Prescott said work is really just starting in Bond County and that throughout the summer, residents will see more workers and crews arriving. These crews could work in one area for weeks at a time and be in the county even longer. It’s hoped that the influx of workers will mean a boost for the local retail economy. The overall project will cost more than 12 billion dollars and the goal is to start pumping oil by the end of the year. The pipeline will cut through Bond County then travel into Clinton County and go under the very northern tip of Carlyle Lake.
WORK HAS STARTED ON BOTH SIDES OF I-70
CHARGES FILED FROM CLINTON COUNTY ARMED ROBBERY
Charges have been filed in connection with the armed robbery in Clinton County, early last Thursday morning. Nickolus McPherson, age 20, of Edwardsville, was charged with alleged armed robbery, a class X felony. Thursday, June 4, around 1:40 AM, it’s alleged that McPherson entered the CC Food Mart on Route 127 with a knife and demanded money, and left the food mart with an undisclosed amount of cash. McPherson plead not guilty on Tuesday and requested trial by jury. Since a weapon was used in the robbery, making the charge a class X felony, up to 25 additional years, could be added to any possible sentence if McPherson is found guilty.
FORMER GREENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER DRAFTED BY CARDINALS
From Comet to Cardinal, a former Greenville High School player was drafted by the Cardinals during this year’s MLB draft. Cale Johnson is a 21 year-old senior at McKendree College. Johnson was selected by the Cardinals in the 41st round with the 1,239th pick of the draft. Johnson is a right handed pitcher who went 6-3 with a 2.63 earned run average, the lowest on the team, and 87 strikeouts during his senior year at McKendree.
