Jefferson Rural Firefighters say a Dix man was injured in an oil field accident on Tuesday. Firemen were called to help James Grasherr after his arm got caught in an oil well pump off North Village Lane east of Texico. Fire officials say Grasherr was initially taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon and then transferred to a St. Louis Hospital.
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Edwardsville, IL -- Students at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville are staging an "Occupy" rally today at 10 a.m. Organizer Harry Zollars says there are four main issues being addressed, including the state of American politics, the affordability and disparities within higher education, and the state of healthcare in America. Zollars says the goal is to bring more than just awareness to the issues. He wants students to find reasonable solutions to the problems. A solutions panel will be held in the Goshen Lounge immediately following the rally.
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Both Salem Police and Marion County Sheriff's Deputies are investigating burglaries. Salem Police received a complaint from Barbara Ball of East Bennett that her home had been entered both Sunday and Monday. A very small amount of cash was reported stolen. The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating a complaint from Chris Metcalf about a burglary to a barn on River Road in Iuka. A four wheeler was taken. A 24-year-old Mt. Vernon man has been arrested on an outstanding felony failure to pay or appear warrant. John Ferguson of Perkins Street is being held in the Marion County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bond. 35-year-old Jennifer Odell of Marshall Creek Road in Odin posted $150 bond after being arrested for driving on a suspended license.
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(Springfield, IL) -- The first ever test of the Nationwide Emergency Alert System is planned forWednesday afternoon. At 1 p.m., all radio and TV broadcasters, cable TV, video providers, and satellite media will sound the alert. If you're watching TV, don't be alarmed because the system may not inform you that it's just a test. That's because there are limitations in the system. The system is designed to allow the President to address the nation across all media platforms in the event of a national emergency. Parts of the same system are used on a regular basis to pass on severe weather warning. The purpose of the test is to assess the readiness and effectiveness of the current system and identify incremental improvements that can be made. - http://goo.gl/pQr4g
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - An Illinois House committee has approved a measure to change pension costs and benefits for state employees. The bill heads to the full House where its fate is uncertain. It would create three different "tiers" of pension benefits and costs. One of those is a 401k-style "defined contribution" plan. Supporters say the state needs to change its pension plans because it can't afford them. Unions strongly disagree with the changes being proposed. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees executive director Henry Bayer says the bill is asking workers to pay more. Language in the Illinois Constitution also bars reducing retirement benefits for current employees. House Republican leader Tom Cross, a sponsor, criticized the unions for not offering an alternative while acknowledging the state has a pension problem. - http://goo.gl/ZyKgd
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - An Illinois House committee has approved a new, smaller gambling plan that backers hope can survive a threatened veto by Governor Pat Quinn. It passed 8-2. Democratic Rep. Lou Lang says the measure could be changed even more before a vote by the full House. Lawmakers approved a major gambling expansion during the spring legislative session. But they never bothered sending the bill to Quinn out of fear that he would veto it. The Democratic governor has a number of concerns, particularly the idea of allowing slot machines at horseracing tracks.The new proposal would still allow slots at racetracks but not at Chicago airports. It also lowers the amount of growth allowed for existing casinos. It would allow five new casinos, including one in downtown Chicago. - http://goo.gl/Ab2FE
CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) - The SIUC Faculty Association's bargaining team is considering the administration's latest offer in an effort to end a five-day-old strike at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. WSIU Radio reports that negotiators spent about 27 hours at the bargaining table. Afterward, the university presented the union with an offer that includes a 4 percent pay increase over the life of the contract and no furlough days for the 2012 fiscal year. SIUC Chancellor Rita Cheng says the university's bargaining team is ready to return to negotiations if the Faculty Association is ready to finalize an agreement and end the strike. Faculty Association spokesman Dave Johnson says they're giving SIU's offer serious consideration. He says the package does cover all of the issues in dispute but large differences remain. - http://goo.gl/igP2u
Salem City Manager Thomas Christie has taken a settlement offer from the city council and will resign on November 30th. In addition to the three months severance pay included in his contract, Christie will receive an additional three months of pay for agreeing to release all claims against the city. After the council accepted the agreement without debate, City Attorney Mike Jones outlined the terms. "He will withdraw his pending claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and release all claims under federal and state law he may have against the city. In exchange, the city has agreed to pay the city manager a severance package consisting of his salary and benefits through May 31st, 2012," said Jones. Christie will also be paid for half of his accumulated sick leave, amounting to about another month of salary. Like other city employees, he'll also be paid for unused vacation time. As a result of those payments, Christie will continue to receive a pay check from the city through September first. Christie estimated the value of the settlement above the terms of termination in his contract about about $30,000. Christie says the previously undisclosed EEO complaint is a retaliation claim. He indicated the claim came in the aftermath of an EEO complaint filed by Economic Development Director Tracey McDaneld that is still pending. Christie confirms he has applied for other jobs as city manager, but says he hasn't decided if he will pursue that avenue or retire. As part of the agreement, both sides agreed not to make disparaging remarks against the other. Raymer says after the council decided they wanted to make a change in the city manager's position more than a month ago, the attorney's worked out the details of the actual agreement. - http://goo.gl/gW2ae
The United States Postal Services announced today the suggested mail-by dates to make sure packages, cards, and letters reach their destinations before the Holidays begin. Mail delivered within the U.S., and mail sent overseas should occur by December 15th for Parcel Post, December 19th for DNDC Drop Ship, December 20th for First Class Mail, December 21st for Priority Mail, and December 22nd for Express Mail and DDU Drop Ship. If you are wanting to mail to Canada, you should mail by December 9th for First Class Mail, December 12th for Priority Mail International, and December 16th for Express Mail International. If you are wanting to mail to Mexico, you should mail by December 9th for First Class Mail and Priority Mail International, and December 15th for Express Mail International. The last day to ship to Afghanistan is December 19th, and Iraq is December 16th. If you have questions or concerns, please visit your local post office, or visit www.usps.com for more information. - http://goo.gl/HfHlY
C.E. Brehm Memorial Public Library Director Bill Pixley makes deliveries. Over the course of the last year-and-a-half Pixley has started a delivery program which involves visiting local seniors, taking their respective media requests then bringing those items the following week.
The director said he previously organized a similar program while he was employed at a library in Calvert City. He has been employed at C.E. Brehm Library for nearly three years.
Pixley loaded up his van at the library Friday morning then drove to Rome Meadows Senior Living Facility in Dix. Rome Meadows is the only facility outside of Mt. Vernon that he currently visits. Upon arrival, Pixley passed out individualized requests for media items he delivered such as DVDs, books and magazines to residents at the facility.
"Many of the residents can't get around very well and a trip to the library is difficult," Pixley said. "Many of general ideas of what they would like and others are very specific. I just try to bring stuff and figure out what they want."
When he began taking and filling requests last year, Pixley said he would visit three or four locations such as adult day cares, senior living centers and assisted living facilities.
"I started out with three or four and gradually worked up to 10 locations," he said. "There are still a few more I need to include but need more staff to do so. I go somewhere every day and Janeta Sutton makes trips to four locations on Wednesdays."
The challenge for Pixley is to keep acquiring fresh media to bring to his more active participants.
"Some authors have 30 or 40 books but some can go through a couple a week so it doesn't take long to get through a list," Pixley explained. "When I run out of a particular area or focus I try and find something else for them to read or watch if they're more into movies."
Pixley added Jefferson County residents, other than Grand Prairie, can register for a library card at no cost. Registration must be completed in person. Two forms of identification are required. One form of ID must have current address and photo.
In his visits, Pixley provides a list of available movies, in DVD format, which can be checked out. He also takes individual inquiries on other forms of media. Pixley said many of the books he can access for residents are donated to the library.
"Some of those books are in our library or at other places and some of them are used as items for our program." - http://goo.gl/COVRy