Public Spaces

Weekend ramp closure on IL Route 37 at I-64 westbound ramp

Submitted by Steve Pobst on Thursday, May 10th, 7:00 am

MOUNT VERNON (KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Transportation would like to alert motorists traveling in the vicinity of IL Route 37 and I-64 Westbound of an intermittent ramp closure.

Due to reconstruction of I-57, and heavier traffic volumes during the weekend hours, the ramp from IL Route 37 to access I-64 Westbound will be closed on Fridays and remain closed until Monday morning each week.

This closure will continue on weekends only until further notice.

Drivers wanting to access I-57 should use IL Route 37 North to Dix and access I-57 via the ramps at Dix.

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Mining company to bring 150 jobs over 4 years to Ill.

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Friday, November 18th, 2011, 1:41pm

Mining company to bring 150 jobs over 4 years to Ill.

MT. VERNON, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Assistant Director Dan Seals joined local officials to announce Friday that a coal mining equipment manufacturer in investing more that $13 million over four years to expand its current Mt. Vernon facility.

As part of the investment package, the company, Magnum Steel Works, Inc. will create and retain 52 Illinois jobs over two years via the company's initial $4 million investment.

The company says they expect to invest an additional $9 million over the next four years, bringing their total investment to $13 million. The total expansion project is expected to create and retain more than 150 Illinois jobs over four years.

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Good Samaritan receives gift of $730,000

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Thursday, November 10th, 2011, 5:17pm

Good Samaritan receives gift of $730,000

MT. VERNON, IL (KFVS) - Good Samaritan Regional Health Center announced the largest individual contribution to date to their center was made more than 40 years ago.

The gift of $730,000 was provided for within the will of Mt. Vernon businessman Hubert J. Schlafy, Sr., which was established before his death in 1970 and was recently given to the health center after the death of Schlafy's only child, Hubert J. Schlafy, Jr. of Greenwich, Conn.

The center says Schlafy, Jr. died on April 20 at the age of 92 after a brief illness. They say they received a phone call shortly after from the trust's administrator telling them that a gift currently valued at more than $730,000 was ready to be delivered to the hospital. A large amount of the gift was given to the hospital in the form of a $730,000 check.

: Hubert J. Schlafly Sr. is pictured with his son, Hubert J. Schlafly Jr. (Source: Hubert J. Schlafly, Jr. Trust)

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Illinois releases new travel app

Submitted by Christy Hendricks

Saturday, August 27th, 2011, 1:10pm

DUQUOIN, IL (KFVS) - A new mobile application can help fairgoers to the DuQuoin State Fair.

The Enjoy Illinois mobile app is the state's official mobile travel and lifestyle guide for travelers across Illinois.

It allows access to more than 10,000 statewide listings including accomodations, dining, attractions, events, deals, and more.

Features of the Enjoy Illinois app include:

Near Me navigation: Utilizes location-based/GPS searches to view attractions nearby and filter listings by interest.
Browse by Interest: Organizes the listings by category so users can view attractions based on interests, such as Accommodations, Arts & Culture, Attractions, Dining and Nightlife.
Browse by Region: Enables exploration of listings by region.
My Trips feature: Allows user to create a custom itinerary list to share via social media (Twitter, Facebook) or by email.

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Wedding dress exhibit featured at historical village

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Monday, July 18th, 2011, 11:38am

Wedding dress exhibit featured at historical village

MT. VERNON, IL (KFVS) - The Jefferson County Historical Village is currently featuring a wedding dress exhibit.

The historical village constructed a parlor-like setting with wallpaper and furnishings to display the dresses.

Most dresses were too small for mannequins and were hung on hangers like this one (Source: Jefferson County Historical Village)

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Ribbon cutting at Armed Forces Reserve Center

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Thursday, July 14th, 2011, 10:31am

Ribbon cutting at Armed Forces Reserve Center

MT. VERNON, IL (KFVS) - The Mt. Vernon Armed Forces and Reserve Center has been dedicated.

$23 million center is where soldiers can go in preparation for local, state and federal missions.

According to the city, the center adds to the homeland defense capability of the Illinois National Guard.

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IDNR issues over 1,200 citations, warnings 4th of July weekend

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Friday, July 8th, 2011, 10:00am

IDNR issues over 1,200 citations, warnings 4th of July weekend

JEFFERSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says their Conservation Officers made more than 1,200 citations and warnings over the Fourth of July weekend.

IDNR said officers arrested 25 boaters for operating under the influence and five more people for driving under the influence.

Along with the arrests, CPOs issued 519 citations and 776 warnings statewide while on patrol from July 1 through 4.

Citations were issued for a range of offenses including possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, underage drinking and disorderly conduct to illegal fishing and other boat safety and boating law violations.

“The hot sunny days led to thousands of boaters out on the state’s waterways this weekend”, said IDNR Conservation Police Chief Rafael Gutierrez. “While there were a few who made poor decisions and were arrested for OUI or DUI, the majority of those we came across were enjoying the holiday responsibly and safe

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