Readers urge accurate headline on fatal Route 127 crash
A Southern Illinoisan reader criticizes the Dec 1 headline about the triple fatal Route 127 crash near Pomona, arguing the text misleads readers into thinking a trooper pursuit caused the wreck. The letter explains the trooper had no chance to engage lights and details how the crash occurred. The writer includes a second section discussing sick leave abuse in state employment and related statistics.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Southern Illinoisan
Illinois
Help Those of Us Who Remain Above the Auld Sod
Bill Sheets Sr. from Perryville Missouri writes to publish a brief message to fellow expatriates and descendants in the region expressing solidarity and support for those who stayed behind in Ireland and Scotland.
Transition funds for Dixon Edgar contest draw Illinois ire
Illinois officials criticize a $550000 transition fund request for Sir transit Dixon and James Edgar as they move toward new offices. The measure failed in the Senate by a narrow margin with adjournment upcoming, leaving the fate of the fund uncertain and officials predicting only a fraction may be needed upon reconsideration.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Alan Dixon
Springfield
Aycheck
U.S. Senate
James Edgar
Roland Burris
Mike Bakalis
Mike
Jim Aoe
Bakalis
Burris
Dixon
Edgar
Illinois Senate
General Assembly
Rules on hotel fire survival for travelers
This piece promotes fire safety guidance from Richard Kauffman and his wife, with American Airlines publishing the rules. It urges readers to clip and carry the list, memorize exits, never use elevators, test doors, stay low in smoke, seal rooms, and keep tools ready.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Las Vegas
White Plains
New York
Los Angeles County
California
Richard Kauffman
American Airlines
Jules Loh
Associated Press
Kauffmans
Kauffman
MGM
Fire Department
State workers sick leave isn’t that bad
Editor letter disputes Mike Lawrence’s Nov 4 article claiming state workers abuse sick leave. A regional director argues a three month sample misstates usage, citing historical data and policy allowing 12 sick days per year with medical verification when needed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gene D. Ruehmkorff
State Department of Children and Family Services
Marion
Southern Illnoisan
Mike Lawrence
Four wheelers claim trails aided in Shawnee Forest
Editor asserts dec 5 piece misstates trail maintenance by four wheel drivers in Shawnee Forest and argues comparing it to unrelated ecological claims. The letter parodies by listing unlikely parallels with harpoons whales DDT eagle reproduction and bulldozers rabbits.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Southern Illinois
Shawnee Forest
Correction to Dec 2 Marion TV station claim
Richard Hill notes Cathy Monroe erred in labeling Marion’s new station as Southern Illinois first UHF outlet. Harrisburg’s Channel 3 began in the 1950s as Channel 22, a UHF station, contradicting the assertion.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Southern Ilinoisan
Cathy Monroe
Marion
Southern Illinois
Channel 3
Harrisburg
Richard Hill
A paltry 1% pension hike from the state
A speaker criticizes Illinois lawmakers and Gov. Thompson for a 1 percent pension increase for teachers and state workers while retirees face hardship. The writer recalls 26 years at Menard State Penitentiary, widow loss, and alleges legislators’ pay raises of about $4,000 annually amid the dispute. Voters are urged to replace the incumbents in the next election.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Southern Illinoisan
Thompson Bicker
Simon praises Paul Simon for coal miners relief act support
Elsie M Speck of Carbondale endorses Rep Paul Simon for leading the 1976 black lung reform act aiding coal miners in District 24. She criticizes opponent Gale Williams and urges support for UNICEF CROP and Oxfam amid East African famines and droughts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Southern Ilinoisan
Gale Williams
Southern Illinoisan
Paul Simon
24Th
Williams
Consman Simon
Democratic Party
Republican Party
Conman Simon
Efort
Joe Howell Herrin
Carbondale United Way Receives Community Thanks
Anthony Salemi executive director of Jackson County Community Mental Health Center expresses gratitude to Carbondale organizers and contributors for the 25th United Way year. Funds support Youth Services Bureau court diversion and counseling for Carbondale youths amid tight finances.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Southern Illinois An
Carbondale United Way
Carbondale
United Way
Anthony Salemi
Jackson County Community
UNICEF seeks aid for starving in East Africa
The piece urges WCIL and churches to expand local holiday relief into world hunger aid. It highlights severe East Africa food shortages alongside other global crises and emphasizes giving during Thanksgiving and Christmas for the poor and hungry.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Unicef
East Africa
Southern Illinoisan
WCIL
Jackson County
Christ
Cambodia
Voters question Rep. Simon home ownership and residency
A reader critiques Rep. Paul Simon for not owning a home in his district while owning an $81,000 Florida condo. The writer questions residency, taxes, and water access, urging caution over his district decisions and personal affairs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rep
Paul Simon
Simon
Washington
Florida
Simons
Illinois
Prosecution of Laetrile Users Compared to McQueen Publicity
I cannot understand why law enforcement targets Laetrile users while Steve McQueen received sympathetic coverage for similar Mexico treatments. Is this a case of special privilege or am I missing something, Robert A. Brown asks.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Southern Illinoisan
Mexico
Steve McQueen
Robert A. Brown
Marion
Response to controversial article on child abuse and DCFS role
A DCFS official disputes claims in a Dec 7 commentary about the agency s authority and practices. The letter clarifies abuse reporting rules, court petitions, placement limits, and the agency s aim to keep families together while safeguarding children, noting information secrecy and the need for full facts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Southern Illinoisan
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Koplowitz
Illinois
Nancy Ashley
Also Mentioned on This Page
Connie Hoops
Murphysboro
Bill Sheets
Perryville, Mo
Alan
Sir Transit Dixon
Black Lung’ Aid
Uganda
Ethiopia
Somalia
United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
Church World Service
Oxfam America
Asia
Africa
Latin America
U.S. Committee For Unicef
Elsie M. Speck Carbondale
Jackson County Community Mental Health Center
Massac County
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