Local elections reflect on voter turnout and new leaders
Southern Illinois reports notably low turnout in Tuesday elections with some precincts at about 20 percent. Officials note apathy toward municipal races while new officials like Carbondale mayor-elect Joel Fritzler and others prepare to shape policy. Community programs at De Soto Elementary and Marion Junior High highlight youth service and charitable projects. A $3.8 million Herrin High School sports complex advances, funded by 2007 sales tax revenue, with multiple fields and a walking track. A SIUC student Lucas Pulley earns praise for charity work abroad. Construction zones see a guard knocked by a SUV, underscoring cautious driving near work sites.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Illinois
Franklin County
Dave Cobill
de Soto
Marion
Nightsville
Fla
Bailey Reese
U.S
Mackenzie Bearup
Alpharetta
Sheltering Books Inc
Joel Fritzler
Carbondale
Chris Wissmann
Herrin
Mark Collins
Collins
Bandyville Road
Williamson County
Illinois Department of Transportation
Randolph County
Sparta Hospital
IDOT
Letters Policy for Readers Voices at The Southern
This notice outlines letter submission rules including word limit signatures and phone verification. It lists contact numbers for submission and notes that letters must be signed, address current issues, and may be edited while avoiding libelous or mass submissions.
Officials contact numbers for Illinois lawmakers
U S Senator Mark Kirk and U S Representative John Shimkus provide district and Washington phone lines. State Senator David Luechtefeld and State Representative Dan Reitz share offices with several numbers and web addresses for constituents seeking help.
Durbin thanked for Muslim civil rights hearing support
Carbondale Interfaith Council applauds U S Sen Dick Durbin D Springfield for convening a first congressional hearing on American Muslim civil rights last week. They cite rising anti Muslim rhetoric and actions and praise media efforts to counter misinformation while stressing Muslim community involvement in local interfaith work. Contact info and council officers are listed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Carbondale Interfaith Council
U.S
Dick Durbin
Springfield
Durbin
Carbondale
Law governs all gun sales in response to Tyson letter
The author rebuts claims about gun show loopholes and asserts firearms transfers are governed by state and federal law. A licensed dealer must use ATF Form 4473, and private transfers require FOID verification and five year records. Falsifying forms is a felony and illegal FOID possession is a crime. Enforcement gaps, not laws, drive illegal transfers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tyson
Southern Illinoisan
Illinois
Readers vote for Golden Pen award finalists
Readers can vote online or by mail for March finalists Joan Grammer Arvid Noreen and Gary K Shepherd. The winner receives an inscribed gold colored pen and recognition in a column by the editor with voting ending on Tuesday.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Joan Grammer
Carbondale
Common Sense
U.S
Environmental Protection Agency
Arvid Noreen
Herrin
America
Gary K. Shepherd
WikiLeaks
Thesouthern.com
Gary Metro
The
Southern Illinoisan
N. Illinois Ave
Laws Meant to Be Broken Belief Cited in Society
A reflection on a long standing view that some people think laws are meant to be broken. The author argues society should combat crime efficiently by focusing resources where they have the most impact and avoid wasteful efforts.
Questions on Egypt and Middle East protests and coverage
A reader asks who provided aid to hungry protesters in Egypt and how many US figures traveled abroad to assist oppressed democracy seekers. They question media bias favoring peaceful protesters, inquire about non Egyptian demonstrators, compare Iran and Egypt responses, and seek insight into US official coverage and agendas.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Egypt
Middle East
United States
Iran
Also Mentioned on This Page
SIUC
Lucas Pulley
Pulley
Romania
Haiti
Ecuador
Gibson City
Thesouthern
Gary
Metro
Murphysboro
Voice of the Reader
Southern Illinois
P.O. Box
Mark Kirk
Kirk
Senate
Jerry Costello
Costello
House
John Shimkus
House.gov
Shimkus
Gary Forby
Intrnet
David Luechtefeld
Sendavel
Midwest
Brandon Phelps
Brandon
BrandonPhelps.com
Mike Bost
Mikebost
Midwestmail
John Bradley
Dan Reitz
Repreitz
I Crear
Marleen Shepherd
AMI Islamic Center OF
Carbonda
Saia Faye Marten
Congregation
Beth Jacob Luke Tolley Church OF Jesus Christ OF the Latter Day Saints
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