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Last updated 9:45 am CT May 09, 2008.

Armed Robbery at Carbondale Business

5/08/08

CARBONDALE -- Police are searching for a man who robbed a convenience store at gunpoint just after 2:30 this afternoon.

The suspect robbed the Ron's One Stop in Carbondale, and according to police radio traffic, was armed with a handgun.

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I-57 in Southern IL now "Ken Gray Expressway"

5/08/08

FRANKLIN CO. -- For nearly a quarter of a century in Washington D.C. former congressman Ken Gray fought for a number of projects that would go on to benefit our area, including the construction of I-57 through southern Illinois. As of Thursday the po
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News Three Weather Webcast

5/09/08

Carterville- Friday morning starts out with plenty of fog and drizzle. A few showers and rumbles of thunder are expected through the morning at afternoon hours. Severe weather is not anticipated.

Much of the day on Saturday will be a mix of sun
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Pain at Pump Affects School Bus Service

5/08/08

HERRIN-- Rising fuel prices are taking a toll on many areas of business, including school transportation.

Most school buses have 60 gallon fuel tanks, and run on diesel-- which currently costs around $4.25 a gallon.

Officials with the First S
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CRIME WATCH

5/08/08

SALINE COUNTY -- Harrisburg Police need your help in locating a stolen OTR service truck.

Police say the truck that was recently taken from Raben Tire in Harrisburg is valued at nearly $200,000.

The company is offering a $2,500 reward for in
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To Your Health: Women and Smoking

5/08/08

WSILTV -- Liz Riley started smoking when she was 15 years-old. Like many women, she didn't expect it to turn into a 30-year-habit, but it did.

"I smoked for thirty years, and I knew that I if I continued to smoke that I probably would die," Rile
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Marion Woman Receives Caregiver Award

5/08/08

MARION -- A Marion woman is being recognized for the exceptional care she's given to her mother.

Carmen Allen-Adeoye received the top honor from the Visiting Nurse Association.

"My mother is an accomplished pianist," said Carmen Allen of her
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Flower Shops Affected By High Gas Prices

5/08/08

MT. VERNON -- The pain at the pump could put a damper on Mother's Day weekend with one of the most popular gifts is taking a hit.

Pam Robertson and her family have owned Easton's Flowers in Mt. Vernon for more than 40 years. She says this year w
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Domestic Abuse Training

5/08/08

CARTERVILLE -- Domestic violence continues to be a problem nationwide. In the next 18 months, it's expected that America will lose as many lives to domestic violence as it did on 9-11.

How can those deaths be prevented, and what can be done to
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Firetruck in Accident in MTV

5/08/08

MT. VERNON -- Illinois State Police are investigating an accident involving a Mt. Vernon fire truck.

Two firefighters were on their way to an emergency call just after noon when the accident happened on 42nd street in Mt. Vernon.

Assistant
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Photographer Exposed as a Predator

5/07/08

ST. LOUIS COUNTY-- A photographer from Missouri is behind bars after being convicted last month on sexual assault charges.

That's after several women came forward saying the man raped them, during what they thought was going to be a photo shoot.

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Washington County Armed Bank Robbery

5/07/08

WASHINGTON COUNTY-- Officials are on a man hunt for two armed bank robbers. The masked men carrying pistols held up the Farmers and Merchants National Bank in Hoyleton Wednesday morning.

Officials are releasing little information about what happ
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Bingo Madness!

5/07/08

MARION -- For many people, a fun night means going out to dinner-- or watching a movie... but for others, you can't match the thrill of Bingo. Some spend every night of the week at one of dozens of Bingo Halls in the area. Against all odds-- Bingo is
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Perry Co. Copper Theft Puts Lives at Risk

5/06/08

PERRY CO. -- Authorities in Perry County have been dealing with several copper thefts over the past few months. Kenneth Zettler and his son say they came across a man stealing copper on their property yesterday, and then -- the situation escalated

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Protecting Your Home Against Break-Ins

5/06/08

CARBONDALE-- During the summer, many of us will go on vacation-- leaving our homes empty-- and that can create opportunities for burglars.

There are ways to safe-guard your home from break-in's.

Carbondale police officer Randy Mathis conduct
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Anhydrous Ammonia Thefts

5/06/08

SALINE COUNTY-- Thefts of a common meth ingredient are on the rise again. Officials in several counties say they've seen a slight increase in people stealing anhydrous ammonia.

It's a familiar sight this time of year... Farmers fertilizing the
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$7 Million Winning Lottery Ticket Sold in Mt. Vernon

5/04/08

MT. VERNON -- A lottery ticket sold in Mt. Vernon has made one person an instant millionaire.

Employees at the Plaza Liquor Mart say the winning Quick-Pick ticket was sold yesterday.

It's pay-out is a whopping seven million dollars.

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Remembering Robert "Dog" Connell

5/05/08

MARION -- Marion city commissioner Robert "Dog" Connell will be laid to rest Tuesday. The long time public servant died Friday afternoon after a battle with cancer. His visitation Monday night brought out hundreds of friends, family, and admirers.
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Faith in Action

5/04/08

HERRIN -- Sunday morning church service is a tradition for many folks, but one local church cancelled its service today to help others.

About two hundred members of the Christian Life Center in Herrin loaded up their cars and took to the streets.

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Horse Behaviorist Weighs In on Derby Tragedy

5/05/08

MARION-- There's more fall-out from the tragic events that followed this year's Kentucky Derby.

Second-place finisher Eight Belles broke two of her ankles after crossing the finish line. Vets euthanized her right there on the track.

Now, grou
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Israel Turns 60

5/04/08

CARBONDALE -- This year marks Israel's 60th birthday, and to celebrate, local groups spent the day introducing others to the nation's heritage.

Traditional Israeli music and dancing had folks out of their seats during an event at the Carbondale Ci
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Enforcement Van

5/05/08

A new Speed Enforcement Van has found it's home in Southern Illinois. Drivers may see the van parked in road construction zones, warning everyone to slow down.

If the signs and orange cones just aren't enough, you may now see a big sign warning
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Robert "Dog" Connell 1929-2008

5/03/08

MARION -- People in Marion are mourning the loss of long-time city leader Robert "Dog" Connell.

Connell passed away yesterday afternoon at Heartland Regional Medical center after a battle with cancer. He served on the city council as Marion'
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To Your Health: Curly Hair Gene

5/05/08

Curly or straight? Too much or too little?

If you don't like the hair you were born with, a scientific solution might be in the near future.

Customers from far and wide come to Devachan Salon in New York to get the straight scoop on naturally
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CRIME WATCH

5/03/08

DU QUOIN -- Three southern Illinois men are in custody after an incident early Thursday morning in DuQuoin.

Police say they were called to an apartment on Howard street on a report of shots being fired.

The men claimed the shots were fire-crack
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God in the Whirlwind

5/05/08

It was three months ago today that a tornado tore through the campus of Union University in Jackson, Tennessee.

Now, a Benton High School graduate, who works at the University, has published a book about the tragedy.

Tim Ellsworth's book, God i
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Missing Man Located

5/03/08

JACKSON COUNTY -- This morning two DeSoto firefighters found a mentally handicapped man, who'd been missing since yesterday evening when he wandered away from his group home.

Early this morning Jackson County Sheriff's officials received a call f
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Tay Sachs Benefit in Southern Illinois

5/03/08

MAKANDA -- Tay Sachs is a debilitating disease that is always fatal in children. Though there is no cure families whose children are living with the disease are trying to change that. Saturday the Third Annual Tay Sachs benefit concert was held to ra
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Apple Festival: Ripe with Possibilities

5/05/08

Local fifth graders believe that Murphysboro is "ripe with possibilities" and the city couldn't agree more.

That phrase will be the slogan for the 2008 Apple Festival, the City of Murphysboro, the Murphysboro Tourism Commission, and the Chamber o
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IDOT Jobs Coming to Southern Illinois

5/02/08

WSIL -- IDOT will move its Traffic Safety Division from Springfield to our region, along with it comes almost 150 new jobs. The Governor's office calls it a cost cutting move that will also boost the southern Illinois economy. The announcement to cam
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Walk the Runway

5/03/08

CARBONDALE --The American Red Cross hit the runway today.

Dozens showed up for the 2nd Annual Red Cross 5-K "Walk the Runway" at the Southern Illinois Airport. The Airport shuts down all but one runway, so participants can make the three-mile loo
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No Alternative to Diesel

5/05/08

WILLIAMSON COUNTY-- Crude oil hit yet another record high today closing at nearly $120 a barrel.

As fuel prices go higher and higher, many of us are searching for alternatives. But some have no choice. Most of us can consider alternatives like h
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At The Wrong Place At The Wrong Time

5/02/08

FRANKLIN COUNTY-- For one Franklin County Police Chief a drug bust never came so easy. In fact, it happened on his day off... and in his front yard.

West City Police Chief, Steve Mumbower, says it all started with a concerned neighbor who was
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Street Jam '08

5/03/08

JOHNSTON CITY -- The Johnston City Ministerial Alliance took to the streets today.

Street Jam '08 is the First Annual community gathering in downtown Johnston City.

The event featured music, food and games for kids.

Pastor Matt
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Golfing for Autism

5/04/08

JACKSON COUNTY -- Some golfers took advantage of the sunny weather to play a few holes while raising money for a good cause.

A golf scramble was held in Makanda to benefit the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at SIU.

Last year the event r
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Lawmakers Could Get Pay Raise

5/02/08

SPRINGFIELD--Illinois lawmakers are getting a raise.

If legislators don't vote to block a raise, they'll get a $7,000 bump in pay.

Governor Blagojevich would also get a raise, and bring his salary up to about $190,000 a year.

He's already on
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PETCO Raising Money for Local Animal Shelters

5/03/08

CARBONDALE -- Workers at the PETCO in Carbondale found themselves on the opposite side of the cages today.

It was all for a good cause though. The PETCO foundation, in association with Pedigree, is raising awareness for the influx of animals tha
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CRIME WATCH

5/04/08

WILLIAMSON COUNTY -- A Herrin man faces several charges after officers say he took them on car chase through the city. Michael Aaron Reed, 23, was arrested last Sunday.

According to Williamson County authorities, Reed was traveling more than
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SPARK YOUR HEALTH

2/04/08

Spark Your Health airs every Monday night at 10 p.m. on News 3.

Join our WSIL Spark Challenge Team to lose weight and get fit.

News 3's Lindsey Mastis introduces our featured team members. Hear about their stories of weight loss success
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