• AFSCME gives final approval to state contract

    by  • May 17, 2013 • 0 Comments

    In voting completed yesterday, frontline employees of the state of Illinois represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 elected to implement their new collective bargaining agreement with the state. It was the second time that state workers have voted on the agreement. The re-vote was necessary because...

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    Universities and colleges reach cost shift agreement with State

    by  • May 17, 2013 • 0 Comments

    State universities and community colleges reached an agreement with Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) to assume  responsibility for the retirement costs of their workers. Under current law, the state pays the employer’s share of community college and state university employees’ pension costs. Under this agreement, should it become law, the institutions would gradually...

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    Pederson now charged with escape

    by  • May 17, 2013 • 0 Comments

    An inmate at the Federal Prison Camp at Marion, allegedly involved with two carjackings in Mount Vernon, appeared yesterday for arraignment in United States District Court in Benton on charges that he escaped from the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.   Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of...

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    Marion County to hold first Drug Court graduation

    by  • May 17, 2013 • 0 Comments

    In celebration of “National Drug Court Month,” the Marion County Drug Court will hold its first graduation ceremony at 3 p.m., Friday, May 31, at the Marion County Courthouse.  According to a press release from Judge Michael McHaney, who oversees the Marion County Drug Court program, the ceremony marks participants’ completion of an intensive...

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    Rail crossing work will close U.S. 51 in Centralia

    by  • May 17, 2013 • 0 Comments

    The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that, weather permitting; U.S. 51 in Centralia will be closed for one day on the southbound lanes starting at 8:30 a.m. Monday, and the northbound lanes starting at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. The road closure is necessary to allow the Norfolk Southern Railway to rehabilitate their crossing. A...

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    Hamilton County pedestrian struck and killed

    by  • May 17, 2013 • 0 Comments

    A Hamilton County man has died after being struck by a vehicle Wednesday evening in Williamson County. Scott Allen Etienne, 40, of McLeansboro died as a result of the collision that occurred around 9:30 along Route 37 in Marion near Crites Road. Reports say the victim was walking in the northbound lane of Route 37 when he was...

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