8-03-2011


RON STEPHENS RETIRING

State Representative Ron Stephens announced his resignation effective August 2.  WGEL spoke with Stephens about the decision who said he has personal reasons for the action, has other things to do and accomplish in his life, and the timing was right to resign. Stephens said he did not come to the decision lightly and it has been a tremendous honor to represent the people of the district.  He has served since 1984 and has been through three different districts because of re-mapping every ten years. Stephens said if he ran again, he would have to run against his good friend and fell Republican John Cavaletto or would have to move from Greenville.  Stephens went on to say he never meant to hold the position forever but did hope to make a difference in Springfield.  Stephens said, in his opinion, Cavaletto was going to win in the next election and that John is “one heck of a good man.”

LAWSUIT FILED IN BOND COUNTY COURT AGAINST NEW REAPPORTIONMENT MAPS

A lawsuit has been filed in Bond County Court looking to stop the new reapportionment maps passed by the Bond County Board earlier this year.  The suit is filed by Ron Shevlin, identified in the court documents as a citizen and taxpayer in Bond County.  The suit names Bond County and Bond County Clerk Randy Reitz as defendants.  In a media release from Shevlin’s attorney Lloyd Cueto of Belleville, it says Reitz in named in the lawsuit because his office administers elections and Reitz has done nothing improper.  The lawsuit alleges the new map should be made null and void since, according to the lawsuit, the map divides five townships, divides at least two municipalities, and divides four precincts.  The lawsuit claims these divisions were not necessary to conform to the population requirements in Illinois law.  WGEL spoke with Brock Willeford County Board Chairperson about the lawsuit.  Willeford said he was confident the map passed by the board complies with state and constitutional law, and will be upheld. 

JULY RAIN TOTALS FOR GREENVILLE

Greenville received an average of 2.68 inches of rain in July, below average when compared with totals from the past 44 years.  Only ten years showed less rain in July with the least rain in July 1983 when Greenville got four tenths of an inch in the month.  The most July rain was in 1986 with 7.8 inches.

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MULBERRY GROVE VILLAGE FACES BACK HOE REPAIRS OR RELACEMENT

The Mulberry Grove Village Board met Monday with a short agenda.  Mayor Doug Enloe reported the need for transmission repairs on the village back hoe.  Repair persons are coming this week to check on the machine and give an estimate on the cost of repairs which will be compared with purchase of a different machine.
Chemicals used on the cemetery to retard grass growth seem to be working but it was reported the old part of the cemetery needs attention.
In his report, Mulberry Grove Police Officer Robert Sutton mentioned the need to watch for children as school starts soon.  He reported curfew hours for children under the age of eighteen are 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 12:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday according to state law.

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JUNE UNEMPLOYMENT RATES LOWEST SINCE 2008

According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, all twelve metro areas in Illinois recorded their lowest June unemployment rate in three years.  The June rate for the Illinois Section of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area fell to 8.5 percent from 9.9 percent one year ago.  Unemployment in Bond County fell from 9.8% to 8.4% from June 2010 to June 2011.  Clinton County rates fell from 7.7 to 7.0%, Madison County from 9.9 – 8.1%, and St. Clair County from 10.6 to 9.4%.

OBITUARIES

Harry W. Olive

Harry W. Olive, age 79, of Edwardsville, passed away Tuesday, August 2 at his residence.  Funeral services will be Friday, at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Edwardsville.  Burial will be in Immanuel UCC Cemetery.  Friends may call Thursday, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Dauderman Mortuary in Hamel and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the church.  Memorials are suggested to Immanuel United Church of Christ, Immanuel UCC Cemetery, Olive Cemetery, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

James M. Hicks

James M. Hicks, age 61, of Greenville, passed away Monday, August 1 at his home.  Funeral services will be Friday, at 11:00 a.m. at the Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home in Greenville.  Burial will be in Montrose Cemetery with military honors.  Friends may call Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to the family.

Leona E. Henze

Leona E. Henze, age 92, of Highland, passed away Monday, August 1 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Highland.  Funeral services will be Friday, at 11:00 a.m. at Evangelical United Church of Christ in Highland.  Burial will be in Highland City Cemetery.  Friends may call Thursday, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the church. 

Martin M. "Marty" Suchomski

Martin M. "Marty" Suchomski, age 48, of Highland, passed away Monday, August 1 at Sparta Community Hospital.  A funeral Mass will be Thursday, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Todd's Mill, IL.  Burial will be in St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Cemetery.  Friends may call Wednesday, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland and Thursday from 9 a.m. until service time at the church.

Mervin G. "Bud" Wilkerson

Mervin G. "Bud" Wilkerson, age 75, of Keyesport, passed away Saturday, July 30 at his residence.  Graveside services will be Monday, August 8 at 10:00 a.m. at McKendree Chapel Cemetery in Keyesport.  Friends are asked to gather at the cemetery prior to service time.  Memorials are suggested to the ALS Association.  Zieren Day Funeral Home in Carlyle is in charge of arrangements.

Shaun David Travis

Shaun David Travis, age 39, of Keyesport, passed away Monday, August 1 at his residence.  Funeral services will be Friday, at 8:00 p.m. at Zieren Day Funeral Home in Carlyle. Friends may call Friday from 4:00 p.m. until time of service at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to Down's Syndrome Foundation or to Special Olympics.

Zitha A. Duncan

Zitha A. Duncan, age 92, of Highland, passed away Saturday, July 30 at Highland Health Care Center.  A funeral Mass will be Tuesday, August 9 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland.  Burial will be in Keystone Cemetery in Saint Jacob.  Friends may call Tuesday, from 8:30 a.m. until service time at the church.  Memorials are suggested to the St. Vincent De Paul Society, St. Paul Education Foundation, in the form of Masses, or to Right to Life.  The Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland is in charge of arrangements.

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