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Last updated 5:52 pm CT November 20, 2009.

Illinois Prison Eyed To House Guantanamo Detainees

11/15/09

WSIL TV-- U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and Governor Pat Quinn are endorsing the use of a western Illinois prison, to house suspected terrorists who are currently being held at Guantanamo Bay. But many folks in our region have a handful of questions surr
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Honoring Our Nation's Veterans

11/14/09

WSIL -- Celebrations took place across our area this week honoring our nation's veterans. For this week's unsung hero, we're spot lighting not only those who serve, but those who went out of their way honoring them.

Some ceremonies were somber, wh
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Last Tailgate at the Mac

11/14/09

CARBONDALE-- It's been the home of the football Salukis for 73 years, but the Dawgs played their final regular season game at McAndrew Stadium Saturday as many fans celebrate and remember the end of an era.

SIU Alum Barry Ancell said, "My best t
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Stabbing in Herrin

11/14/09

WILLIAMSON COUNTY -- A stabbing in Herrin put one man in jail and another clinging for his life.

The attack happened Friday night at the intersection of 12th Street and Vanburen in Herrin.

Police say 21 year old Richard Schaefer stabbed Richa
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Johnston City Teen Killed in Deer Related Car Accident

11/14/09

WILLIAMSON COUNTY-- An accident in Williamson county took the life of a local teen.

The accident happened on Monroe rd. north of Johnston City, near the Franklin County line around 6:15 p.m. Friday.

Officals say Madyson Darnell, 15 of Johnst
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Officials Promise Improvements at Marion VA

11/13/09

MARION-- Top Department of Veteran’s Affairs brass and top Illinois lawmakers say they now have a plan to make improvements at the Marion VA Hospital.

It's been a little more than a week since the VA Office of the Inspector General released a repo
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Saluki Way Project Moving Forward

11/13/09

JACKSON COUNTY- The Saluki football team is preparing for it's last regular season home game Saturday at McAndrew Stadium.

But as the Mac's days wind down, The Saluki Way project is moving right along.

Construction crews say they have erected a
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Williamson County Man Sentenced to 50 Years

11/13/09

WILLIAMSON COUNTY- Harry Schauf was sentenced to 50 years in prison Friday for shooting his wife and former Marion Police Officer Steve Cannon last year.

Friday, Schauf's wife Tina Pickens spoke out against the sentence.

Schauf was found guilty
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Double Homicide Suspect Makes Court Appearance

11/13/09

FRANKLIN COUNTY- The woman charged in a West Frankfort double murder makes her first court appearance in Illinois.

Authorities say 19 year old Afton Ferris was booked into Franklin County Jail at 5:30 Friday morning.

Ferris was arrested in Lari
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Illinois' Early Release Program Underway

11/13/09

WSIL-TV-- Governor Pat Quinn's early release program for Illinois prisoners is underway.

Department of Corrections Spokeswoman Januari Smith says as of Friday, a total of 62 inmates have been released.

In order to save the state money Illinois
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Toddler Death In Wayne County

11/13/09

WAYNE CO. -- Authorities call the death of a young Wayne County baby boy tragic and extremely sad. Emergency responders were called to the home of Hunter Woolever in rural Wayne City early Friday morning. They say the 17 month old was not breathing
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SIU Tree Planting

11/13/09

JACKSON COUNTY -- Students, faculty, and people from the community were all digging in to help replant some of the trees lost at SIU.

The May storm destroyed some 600 trees across the Carbondale campus, another 200 had to be removed later.

Da
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Mock Crash Teaches Students about Safe Driving

11/13/09

JACKSON- Trico School is trying to hammer home the importance of safe driving by showing students firsthand what can happen.

They hosted a mock crash for more than 600 students.

Texting kills; it's a tough lesson to learn and one t
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Jefferson County Man Found Guilty for Child Assault

11/13/09

JEFFERSON COUNTY- A Mt. Vernon man accused of brutally beating three children has been found guilty.

Jurors convicted Tyrone Jackson of aggravated battery and domestic battery.

Prosecutors say he beat the three children with belts and extension
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Sportsman Against Hunger Program

11/12/09

WSIL-TV-The Sportsmen Against Hunger program allows hunters to donate deer meat.

The venison is dropped off at select processing plants then given to food pantries.

To find out more about that program click on the link below.


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More Skunks in Southern Illinois

11/12/09

WSIL-TV- Have you seen more skunks along the roads or on your property lately?

If so, you're not alone. Wildlife experts say the skunk population is on the rise.

"Our population survey, based on the number of miles driven and the number of sku
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The Click: Money for Old Gadgets

11/12/09

WSIL-TV- If you don't know what to do with an old cell phone or digital camera there's a website that may help you get rid of it.

It's good for your pocketbook and the environment.

Technology is always changing. Your gadget might be in working
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Mental Health at Tamms Supermax Prison

11/12/09

ALEXANDER COUNTY - The Tamms Correctional Center houses Illinois' most dangerous inmates. The 250 male prisoners are locked in their cells 23 hours a day.

Critics say the prison's solitary confinement policy is inhumane, especially for the mental
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Reward Offered in Arson

11/12/09

WSIL -- Authorities in Jefferson County are asking for the public's help solving an arson.

Deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office were called to a construction site on East Bakerville Road Saturday evening. A lift crane at that site
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State Budget Crisis Hits SIC

11/12/09

SALINE COUNTY -- A campus-wide initiative is underway at Southeastern Illinois College to reduce costs and generate revenue.

Administrators at SIC say the effort is necessary because of late payments and non-payments from the state of Illinois.

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Value of Gold Hits Record High

11/12/09

WILLIAMSON COUNTY -- The value of gold has hit a record high.

The precious metal is now selling for more than $1,100 a troy ounce.

That's a seven percent increase just in November and a 26 percent for the year.

The high price has people
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Franklin Co. Man Battles CML Leukemia

11/11/09

BENTON-Basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is battling a rare form of leukemia. He says he's going public to raise awareness about the disease.

A Franklin County man is also coming forward about his own battle with blood cancer.

"A bad d
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SIU President Calling For Freeze on Spending

11/11/09

CARBONDALE -- SIU administrators say these are desperate times because of so many IOUs from the state. Money's so tight the university is freezing spending. But that might not be enough. The school is owed nearly $130 million and if it doesn't get pa
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Celebrating Veterans: U.S. Census Facts

11/11/09

WSIL-TV- As we honor our veterans there are some intersting facts on the men and women who've served.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, last year there were 23.2 million Vets living in the United States.

Of that 23.2 million, 1.8 million are
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New Website Aimed to Help Illinois National Guard

11/11/09

WSIL-TV- There will be a new website and DVD aimed to help veterans of the Illinois National Guard.

Approximately 3,000 Illinois guard soldiers have returned from Afghanistan in the past 3 months including hundreds from our region.

Research sho
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Carbondale Veteran Ceremony

11/11/09

JACKSON COUNTY- It was a day of celebrating veterans across our region.

Soldiers and the community gathered in downtown Carbondale to honor those who've sacrificed for freedom.

News 3's Chief Photo journalist Benjy Jeffords takes us to the cere
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Bald Knob Cross Restoration in Full Swing

11/11/09

UNION COUNTY- The end is in sight for restoration of the Bald Knob Cross in Union County.

Exterior panels are still missing right now as crews fix up the inside of the monument.

The panels will be added in the spring along with new lighting.

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Local Businesses Offer Discounts for the Unemployed

11/11/09

BENTON-- For the last decade, Olde Towne Barber Shop in Benton has served hundreds of people. Owner Daryl Ice says for the next few months, he's taking that service above and beyond.

"I came to Benton 15 years ago under better times, and well the
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Brush Fire Danger

11/11/09

WSIL -- Many people are taking advantage of the pleasant weather to burn leaves and debris from past storms. But with nearly two full weeks of rain-free weather, it may be getting too dry to burn. Light winds and lack of moisture in the vegetation c
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Fundraising for the Homeless

11/11/09

JEFFERSON COUNTY- A Mount Vernon organization is asking those who have a home to help those who don't.

The Hope in Christ Homeless Shelter is trying to raise money for a transition home they're remodeling.

Director Hope Stuckey says she's rely
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Perry Co. Family Grateful For Blood Donors

11/10/09

DU QUOIN-It's a fun fall day for the Barnett family. This is six month old Cole's first trip to the park. A day his parents, Samantha and Steven won't soon forget.

Samantha considers it a miracle she's even here today. After what she describe
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Free Legal Aid, Counseling Available for Veterans

11/10/09

CARBONDALE-- A vigil on the Southern Illinois University campus that began Tuesday afternoon will last through the night and into Veterans Day.

It is especially meaningful because there are so many veterans taking classes at SIU.

The university
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Habitat for Humanity: Giving Back

11/10/09

WILLIAMSOM COUNTY- A Williamson County family will have a place to call home thanks to John A. Logan College.

Students and staff have spent the past four weeks building a Habitat for Humanity home.

Tuesday the class dismantled the house.

The
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Veterans Day 3K Run and Walk

11/10/09

WILLIAMSON COUNTY- In Marion students, teachers and volunteers laced up their shoes to honor veterans.

The High School held a Veterans Day 3K Run and Walk.

This is the first year for the event.

Dozens of students, teachers and volunteers ha
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Children Testify Against Man Accused in Their Beating

11/10/09

JEFFERSON COUNTY-- The trial of a Mt. Vernon man, accused of beating three children, began Tuesday with disturbing testimony.

Tyrone Jackson is charged with aggravated battery to a child and domestic battery for an incident in October of 2007. Th
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Southern Illinois Muslims Speak Out

11/10/09

JACKSON COUNTY-As the nation mourns the tragedy at Fort Hood the Muslim community is again finding their faith associated with the acts of violent extremists.

Some Muslims in our region say they've worked ever since the September 11th attacks to
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Potential Tax Money for Tree Loss

11/09/09

WSIL-TV -- With both ice and wind storms this past year, trees in southern Illinois have had a rough year.

Many backyards still have bare spots where trees once stood.

Those homeowners could qualify for tax money because of their losses.

Bu
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Military Loan Program

11/09/09

WSIL-TV- Illinois Soldiers returning from the battle lines can now get low interest loans from the state.

The loans from the state treasurer's office use to be available only to service members while on active duty.

Now soldiers can get the fu
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Illinois: Bad for Business?

11/09/09

WSIL-TV-- Promises to create jobs and foster business are the cornerstones of political campaigns this season, but recent headlines in Southern Illinois prove that's easier said than done.

Voters can expect candidates to spend the next few month
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Cape Air Off The Ground At Local Airport

11/09/09

WILLIAMSON COUNTY- A new airline is off the ground at the Williamson County airport.

"Cape Air" made its first flight from Marion to St. Louis Sunday.

The airline offers six round trips every weekday and three round trips on weekends.

Frequ
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Health Reform Bill Worries Local Businesses

11/09/09

FRANKLIN COUNTY-- The Health Care Reform bill is on its way to the US Senate. The House passed the measure by a slim margin late Saturday. The legislation still has plenty of skeptics, including some small business owners here in our region.

Mir
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Talking Politics: Social Services

11/09/09

WSIL TV— Social service agencies in Illinois are suffering due to budget cuts and dwindling donations. Some of those agencies will have the task of monitoring or providing services for prisoners set to be released from jail in the coming weeks.


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H1N1 Death in Williamson County

11/09/09

WSIL -- A Williamson County resident has died from complications related to the H1N1 flu.

Health officials say the individual had underlying medical conditions, but they are not releasing any other information including that individual's gender o
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Stabbing in Johnston City

11/09/09

JOHNSTON CITY -- A weekend stabbing sends one Johnston City man to the hospital and another to jail.

Authorities were called to 604 East Broadway Saturday night.

Officers with the Johnston City Police Department say the victim, James Mitchell
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SIU Chancellor Finalist Holds Public Forum

11/09/09

JACKSON COUNTY- The second finalist for SIU chancellor is visiting campus this week.

Barbara Couture is currently the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

She's a former public school teacher orig
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Foster Dad Calls for Changes in the System

11/08/09

WSIL-TV-- Josh and Courtney Swain of Carbondale think of their four foster kids as their own. They want to adopt them and give them a home that’s much more stable than the one the boys came from.

But Josh Swain says the system is failing.

"This
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Man Pleads Guilty to a 2008 Murder

11/08/09

WILLIAMSON COUNTY--One of the two men charged with murdering a Herrin man has pleaded guilty.

Ricky Allen Cooper pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for his role in the July 2008 death of Savoy Cunningham.

Cooper has been sentenced to
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Treasurer Candidate Will Force Banks to Lend Again

11/08/09

One of the men running for state treasurer says banks need to start lending again, and he plans to make sure that happens.

Chicago Democrat Mark Doyle visited our area Saturday.

The small business owner worked for former President Bill Clinto
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State: Stores Sold Booze to Minors

11/08/09

Four local businesses have been cited for selling booze to minors.

Bill's Liquors in Marion

Arnold's in Royalton

East Main Market in West Frankfort

West Frankfort Gas

All failed to check the age of the buyer.


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Police Investigate Death in Shawneetown

11/08/09

GALLATIN COUNTY-- Shawneetown Police Chief Robert Patton confirmed a white male was found dead near the Shawnee Chief Motel around 6:15 p.m. Sunday.

Officials say a death investigation is underway.

Neighbors report hearing gunshots shortly
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