09-07-2012

 

ISP SEEKING CHARGES AGAINST DRIVER FROM I-64 ACCIDENT

According to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Illinois State Police requested charges be filed against the driver from the crash that killed one local construction worker and injured three more on I-64 last May.  The request is currently under advisement and no action has been taken.  The driver, Michael J. Jeter, age 34, of West Frankfort, was eastbound on I-64 near Fairview Heights when he allegedly drove off the left side of the roadway and struck the work trucks and workers, according to the Illinois State Police. 

$80,000 RASIED AT I-64 FALLEN AND INJURED WORKERS BENEFIT

Families of those affected by the tragic accident on Interstate-64 recently received checks from the benefit last month. Dan Sidwell said it was a great effort by everyone.  Approximately 2,000 people attended and they raised approximately $80,000.00.  Each of the four families received $20,000.00. Dan reminds you to not use cell phones while driving and especially while in construction zones.  Dan said if we do this, we hopefully will avoid incidents like this in the future.

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LATZER HOMESTEAD HARVEST DAYS START FRIDAY

The Latzer Homestead Harvest Days are this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Latzer Homestead just south of Highland on old Trenton Road.  The event features living history displays, free pony rides and petting zoo, tons of demonstrations including vintage tractors, threshing, a steam powered saw mill, and one special event this year will be a part of the Latzer Home tours.  Lynn Reyberger said the tours will be open daily and the cost for the tour is $2.00.  This year, in honor of the 175th Jubilee, they will be displaying all the memorabilia from the 150th anniversary.

COMETS RANKED 7TH IN STATE

The Greenville Comets are off to a great start this season and were recently ranked in the top ten.  Greenville High School Athletic Director Joe Alstat said the Comet football team is currently ranked 7th in Illinois.  The Comets kicked off the season with two victories and will play Saturday night this week, due to the rain which delayed the game last week.  The Comets will host Carlinville at 7:00 p.m. at Don Stout Field.

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ILLINOIS CREDIT RATING DOWNGRADED AGAIN

According to Senator Kyle McCarter, Illinois’ credit rating, already the second lowest of the 50 states, took another hit this week when Standard and Poor’s lowered the state’s credit rating from A-plus to A.  According to S&P, the state’s pension debt was cited as a major contributor to the downgrade.  Since becoming Governor in 2009, Pat Quinn has presided over ten credit downgrades, more downgrades than the previous four governors combined.  McCarter said, “The fact Illinois is not getting its fiscal house in order can cause taxpayer pain beyond the crushing public debt already on the books.  A lower credit rating can lead to higher interest rates for state government when it goes to borrow money through bonding.  That interest rate debt is ultimately paid by taxpayers.”