January 2011

Correctional Officer James Watkins has been selected as January employee of the month at the Tamms Correctional Center in Tamms.

The warden’s office at Tamms said Watkins was selected for the honor based upon his commitment, positive attitude, team work, professionalism and versatility.

Watkins is assigned to the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift at the Tamms C-Max Unit.

Watkins is a certified member of the tactical unit. He is routinely called upon to serve as the tactical unit team leader.

The PAST organization of Union County is planning to host a soup and chili supper and dessert auction Friday evening, March 11, in Anna.

The event will be at St. Anne's Church at 507 S. Main St. and begins at 5:30 p.m.

PAST suggests a donation of $5 for the supper.

Proceeds will help to defray the winter heating bills at St. Anne's.

This is the second year for the event and it is "back by popular demand," PAST notes.

People last year had so much fun, they asked that PAST do it again.

To the editor,

Sometimes as a boy grows up a man comes along who changes his whole life.

My son has been doubly blessed. For the last four years, two such men have been active in his life.

Coach Rick Bittle and  Coach Kevin Stephens took a wild, raw boy and formed a champion athlete, a confident, self-disciplined young man who is eager to move on to the rest of his life.

Gentlemen, I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for us.

I hope you have as much pride in your work as I have gratitude for your efforts.

No injuries were reported in the aftermath of an accident involving a passenger car and freight train.

The accident happened at about 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, at a railroad crossing at Wolf Lake.

The crossing is on the State Forest Road, about 100 feet east of Illinois Route 3.

Illinois State Police at Ullin reported that the accident involved a 1996 Honda Prelude.

State police reported that the car crossed the railroad tracks and hit a southbound train.