Local farmer claims oil brine ruins Gallatin land
Stan Howell of Omaha says five truckloads of saltwater dumped on an oil lease road by Absher Oil Co. ruined 3 to 4 acres. The state Mines and Minerals Department warns the practice is illegal and punishable by up to 1000 dollars per day. Howell seeks remediation as brine-damaged land costs 2500 to 3000 dollars per acre to reclaim.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cathy A. Monroe
Southern
Lane
Howell
Gallatin County
Austin Boyd
Absher
Mary Ann Narve
Gallatin
Ms. Narve
Franklin County clerk pleads not guilty to embezzlement
Franklin County Clerk Bob Hiller pleads not guilty to eight counts of felony theft and official misconduct. Indicted by a grand jury on 16 Class II felonies over missing 78000 dollars from his office. Trial set for July 29 with potential five year prison terms per count and potential removal from office. He vows not to resign if convicted.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Franklin County
Bob Hiller
Hiller
Old Ben Coal Co Faces $250 Million Class Action
Two Jefferson County coal association members sue Old Ben Coal Co in circuit court for 250 million dollars, claiming the firm failed to lease all mineral and coal rights. They seek enforcement of a 1978 lease option and payment of a substantial fine. Company officials were unavailable for comment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Coal Association
Jefferson County
Old Ben Coal Co
Old Ben
Benton Firefighters balk at measly pay increase
At least two Benton firefighters threaten action over a $40 monthly base pay raise. With 16 Fire and Police Department employees, Fred Kerley and Albert Smith say the city must raise its offer before most will accept. The wage scale expired May 1 and Local 529 has twice rejected the proposal.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Benton
Fire and Police Department
Fred Kerley
Albert Smith
Laborers International Local 529
Doctor to close Marion practice after 1970s home births
Dr Joseph Billock of Marion plans to close his southern Illinois practice on June 14 and may join the Air Force as a general medical officer in Idaho. He cites high malpractice insurance costs and offers insight into home deliveries and evolving obstetric care while noting he will miss delivering babies and the personal ties with patients.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ann Schottman Enol
Joseph Billock
Marion
Illinois
Billock
Idaho
Southern Illinois
Bilock
Creal Springs
Air Force Commission
Air Force
Policy banning liquor sales in gas stations upheld
The Murphysboro Liquor Control Commission denied a proposed 603 S. Illinois Ave liquor store plan that would pair a package liquor outlet with a self service gas station. In a 5-0 vote, the commission upheld the policy against liquor sales in conjunction with gas stations and cited pedestrian risk concerns.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dave DeWitte
Southern Illinois and Carbondale Liquor Control Commission
South Illinois Avenue
Jim Winfree
S. Illinois Avenue
Commission
Winfree
John Dough
Saluki Texaco
S. Illinois Ave
Patrick Kelley
Murphysboro
Gube Strong
Keith Tuxhorn
City seeks proposals to lease Hayes clinic in Carbondale
Carbondale plans spring solicitations for leasing the Emma C. Hayes Center Health Clinic after its sudden shutdown when a federal grant expired. A doctor or group must provide general medical services at least 20 hours weekly for up to 12 months, offer sliding scale fees for low income residents, and serve all Medicaid recipients.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dave DeWitte
Southern Illinoisan
Carbondale
Emma C. Hayes
Leasor
Students Spank Board in Scholar Bowl Clash at Festival
Murphysboro Junior High School hosted a scholar bowl during the Creative Arts Festival 1985 with top student teams defeating the board and administration 270 to 50. Barbara Hughes named the opossum as the only native North American marsupial while the eighth graders, Ray Bailey and others, led a strong showing in science history and arts events.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Murphysboro Junior High School
Barbara Hughes
Doerr
Ray Bailey
Neal Bannerjee
Kerri Jackson
Eli Rodemaker
Terry Lilley
Anji Chugh
Cindy Buitt
Amy Smith
Bryan Lee
Prince Taylor
Development potential outlined for Murphysboro east of Illinios 13
City planner Robert Vancil presented a feasibility study for a prospective tax increment financing district in Murphysboro. The plan would allow local property tax increases in the district to be loaned to or aid business and industrial sites. Areas east along Illinois 13 and around the Jackson County courthouse were named as primary development zones with expected mid summer completion for several projects. A $9,600 study fee is paid by the city and the Chamber of Commerce. The council also designated Wednesday as National Police Officer Memorial Day and planned half mast flags. Also approved use of city lot at 11th and Locust for a May 25 outdoor dance for junior high youth. Library board invited for a joint meeting to review operations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tony Stevens
Southern Illinoisan
Murphysboro
Illinois 13
Robert Vancil
Vancil
Jackson County
Ment
Chamber of Commerce
Murphysboro Jaycees
11Th and Locust Streets
Board of
Sallie Logan Library
McDowell Addresses Murphysboro Council Actions
Mayor Vic McDowell seeks to remove partisan labels from city elections while maintaining the current salary and duties. An expense account ordinance requires detailed vouchers, and former mayor Sydney Appleton prompts council complaints over non-itemized payments. Ward 1 Alderman Bill Daum becomes mayor pro tem as transfers and reappointments occur including department heads and airport authority representation. Floyd Hart remains Murphysboro’s SI Airport board member. Ken Carr becomes Municipal Band chair.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Public Improvement Committee
Murphysboro
Sydney Appleton
McDowell
Ward
Bill Daum
Floyd Hart
Southern Illinois Airport Authority
Hart
Ken Carr
Joe Stanes
Also Mentioned on This Page
and Minerals
George Lane
Agency
Oil and Gas
Water Conservation District
The
Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Howell Farms
T.H. Boyd
Miami, Fla
Memorial Hospital
Dr. Billock
Kelley
Pat McMeen
Booby’s
Papa’s Pub & Deli
W. College St
Beer Garens
City
Hayes Clinic
Robert Stalls
Stalls
Spank’ Board
By Tony Stevens
VicDowell
Chester Steele
Larry Tincher
Rollie Conder
Jim Shields
Dan Benz
Tom Jones
Phyllis Gottlieb
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