Marion County Poverty Rate Above 16-Percent

Marion County's Poverty Rate is above 16-percent, according to a new study from the U.S. Census Bureau. The U.S. Census Bureau released Tuesday the 2010 Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates for over 3,100 counties, and nearly 14,000 school districts, across the country.
Marion County's overall poverty rate is 16.5-percent, one of the highest rates in South-Central Illinois. The poverty level for children under 18-years-old is ten-percent more than the overall rate at 26.6-percent. The poverty rate for kids ages five-to-seventeen is at 24.8-percent. Medium household income in Marion County is estimated at $38,182.
The report also breaks down poverty levels for children ages five-to-seventeen based on school districts. The North Wamac School District had the highest poverty rate in the area with 40.2-percent. The Selmaville School District had the lowest poverty rate in the county with 12.1-percent. The following Marion County school districts and estimated poverty rates are listed below.

School Poverty Rate (Percentage) Patoka 16.9 South Central20.2 Sandoval27.2 Odin26.6 Salem Elementary32.4 Salem Comm. High School17.1 Centralia City Schools30.0 Centralia High School21.1 Central City Grade School20.7 Willow Grove Grade School33.3 Raccoon Grade School17.9 Kell Grade School22.9 Iuka Grade School21.3 North Wamac Grade School40.2 Selmaville Grade School12.1 The report also released poverty levels for other counties in South-Central Illinois.

Jefferson County had the highest poverty rate in South-Central Illinois at 17-percent. Fayette County has 15.8-percent, Clay County with 15.3-percent, Wayne County at 14.9-percent, and Clinton County at 8.4-percent. Washington County had the lowest poverty level in South-Central Illinois with 8.2-percent.

The SAIPE Report provides county and state estimates for the total number of people in poverty, the number of children under five-years-old in poverty (for states only), the number of children 5-to-17 in families in poverty for county and school districts, the number of children under 18 in poverty and median household income.   http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Marion County Police Beat for Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

Salem Police have arrested a 25-year-old Salem man for alleged criminal trespass to state supported property. Anthony Harden of North Howard Street was taken into custody when police were called to Marion County Housing Authority property in the 700 block of Senneff to a report of a domestic dispute. 24-year-old Connie Rose Meeks of Rasback Street in Centralia was arrested by Centralia Police for alleged domestic battery and on a Marion County ordinance violation warrant. A 26-year-old Central City man remains in custody in lieu of $150,000 bond after being arrested by sheriff's deputies on an outstanding felony warrant. The warrant charges Nathan McCormick of High Street with aggravated domestic battery. 33-year-old Ronald White of Hurst is being held in lieu of $25,000 bond on a warrant charging felony driving on a revoked license. 34-year-old Lori Ann McKenzie of Veterans Memorial Drive in Mt. Vernon was arrested on a failure to appear or pay warrant on a no insurance charge. Bond is set at $2,000. A 30-year-old Carlyle woman reported minor injuries in a car-deer accident on U.S. 50 a quarter mile west of Hoots Chapel Road in rural Odin. Jennifer Gansauer of Bellflower Road did not require hospital treatment. http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Four Injured In I-57 Wreck South of Salem

Four Indianapolis, Indiana residents were injured when they van was hit in the rear while traveling southbound on Interstate 57 three miles south of Salem late Monday night. State Police say 52-year-old Clifford Nourse was traveling at a reduced speed due to the heavy rain when the semi driven by 28-year-old Jereme Wayne Patton of Salem, Missouri hit him in the rear. After the collision, Nourse ran off the right side of the road and hit several small trees. Nourse along with three passengers, 45-year-old Moniquel Ackles, 52-year-old Sheila Cheatam, and 62-year-old Willard Cheatam, were all taken to Salem Township Hospital for treatment. Salem Fire Protection District personnel were called to the scene to assist ambulance personnel in loading the four victims into ambulances to be taken to the hospital. The wreck occurred at 11:08 Monday night. http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Council hears study concerning center

A feasibility study says the Mt. Vernon City Council should continue to look into an exhibition center.

Phase II of the study, conducted by Destination Development International, would further determine the economic feasibility and require a vote by the council to proceed.

"We can come to some determination with numbers in-house to help determine if we want to take a hard look at it," said City Manager Ron Neibert.

The study's bottom line assessment stated an active, well-run exhibition center would improve tourism numbers, add tax revenue, revitalize peripheral spending and attract visitors, who may later return to the city or even relocate to Mt. Vernon.

An exhibition center as a destination facility, according to the study, will typically host three types of events:  Flat floor trade shows, consumer events and civic events. For these purposes, the study recommended a 60,000-square-foot facility with additional space for storage, offices, restrooms and a catering kitchen. STudy organizers estimated local construction costs at an estimated $7.2 to $8.2 million, not including land, infrastructure and parking.

The study found "considerable regional market competition."

Mt. Vernon Tourism Director Bonnie Jerdon said in her overview of the report there is considerable interest in our area, "for these types of events. I think we're in a competitive position."

Jerdon also said for the facility to become successful and competitive, creative management of floor space would be imperative.

"We would need to be very flexible to make it successful," Jerdon said.

The study recommended the exploration of possible public/private partnerships to minimize capital costs for the city.

"We have received interest from some hotel owners for such a venture," said Jerdon.  http://bit.ly/sS1qia

Police seeking two individuals in Jefferson County

Jefferson County CrimeStoppers is offering a reward for information leading to the arrests of two individuals.

Darnell A. Maxie, 18, and Marventi D. Palmer, 25, are wanted on allegations of aggravated discharge of a firearm. Anyone who has seen either suspect, knows of their location or knows any information that would be helpful in locating either suspect is asked to call Jefferson County CrimeStoppers at

618-242-8477 or Mount Vernon Police Department at 618-242-2131 or

618-242-0215 immediately.  http://bit.ly/vOhSjA