Power outages in Mt. Vernon caused by collision

MT. VERNON — About 2,400 Ameren Illinois customers lost power at about 11:45 a.m.

Leigh Morris, spokesperson for Ameren, said customers in central Mt. Vernon on Broadway from 27th Street to Potomac Boulevard were affected.

Ameren does not know what caused the outage, but said a significant number of customers' power had been restored.

"We do have folks working to isolate the outage," Morris said. "We certainly regret the disruption the outage causes."

Power was restored to all but one customer at 12:10 p.m.

The Mt. Vernon Holiday Inn on Potomac Boulevard was the single business to remain without power, which Ameren hopes to restore as quickly as possible, Morris said.

Morris said he recieved reports a dump truck or some kind of large motor vehicle hit one of the sub transmission lines on Eagle Court and that there was an exposed line on the ground and a few broken crossarms, which could be the possible reason for the outages. - http://bit.ly/HgvIDk

Commission offers annual report

MT. VERNON -The Mt. Vernon Minority Affairs and Human Relations Commission worked to counteract violence and drug use in the community and celebrated black history in 2011, according to its annual report.

The annual National Night Out was a success with more attendees than ever before, said Mt. Vernon Minority Affairs and Human Relations Commission Chairman Rolland Mays.

In addition, the commission worked in conjunction with City Schools District 80 to reward the winners of an essay contest during a Black History Month program held Feb. 23 at the Casey Middle School gymnasium.

"The city was nice enough to give us $200, which we donated to District 80," Mays said. "It was given in $25 awards to the young folks who wrote essays."

Mays said he is in discussion with the art department at Mt. Vernon Township High School to see if the commission can include visual arts in the Black History Month program next year.

The commission participated in a workshop with United States Attorney Steve Whittington, Mays said, in which hate crimes were discussed.

Mt. Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley thanked the commission for its hard work.

"We don't give enough recognition to our boards or committees," Chesley said. "I want to express deep appreciation for your 13-member committee. I really do appreciate all that you do for the city of Mt. Vernon, the sincerity with which you do it and the hard work with which it's done."

Mays thanked Brandon Bullard and the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce for putting together the report books at no cost to the city of Mt. Vernon.

The report included the commission's bylaws and mission statement, which is, "We are a diverse group of caring people who foster understanding and promote equality to share a better future for our city."

The members of the commission are Brandon Bullard, representing the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce; Mike Green, representing City Schools District 80; Dr. Michael Smith, representing Mt. Vernon Township High School; James Malone, representing the Jefferson County Chapter of the NAACP; Robert Whiteside, representing a religious organization; Nicole Villani, as a representative for the Jefferson County State's Attorney; Ron Neibert, representing the City of Mt. Vernon; Mt. Vernon Police Department Chief Chris Mendenall; and Mt. Vernon Fire Department Chief Jim Brown.  

At large members include Rolland Mays, Angie Moore, Oscar Brown and Brenda Cain. - http://goo.gl/vv1XD

Farmers get early start on spring planting

MT. VERNON - Balmy temperatures are tempting Jefferson County farmers to plant early this spring.

At least one farmer took the plunge as early as March 8, said John Kabat, a farmer, Mt. Vernon Township High School FFA sponsor and Rend Lake College Board of Education member.

"I don't think anybody has ever planted that early before in this region," he said.

Kabat, his father and his brother, all farmers, are spreading herbicide this week before planting corn, several weeks earlier than usual and months earlier than last year due to heavy rain in 2011.

"Usually, the last frost is April 15," he said. "I don't even pay attention to that counter now, and the 10-day forecast is showing that through April 15, there won't be a frost."

He said he usually plants his corn the last week in April. The guideline for safe planting is that the ground temperature should be at least 55 degrees about four inches deep, Kabat said, but it's consistently been 65 to 70 degrees.

While the temperature has been safely warm for farmers to plant, some are holding back until April 15 because of the conditions of their crop insurance, he said.

"If you plant before April 15, the crop insurance won't pay for your seed if you need to replant," Kabat said, adding that seed corn is about $200 a bag. "The farmers who don't want to lose money are waiting for April 15."

He said he knows some of the more than 800 farmers in Jefferson County have taken that chance in order to have their crops harvested in June or July before the summer heat kicks in.

"Heat is always worse than water," he said. "With the heat of July and August getting up to 100 degree temperatures, getting out in the fields will beat the heat longer."

In addition to allowing farmers to have their corn completed growing before August, Kabat said the early planting and harvesting could help those who wish to plant a second crop like soybeans.

"Farming is the biggest gamble you take in life," he said. "You take out a $80,000 to $100,000 loan, and then you put seed in the ground, and you've got to pay that back." - http://goo.gl/waA3Q