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Last updated 6:49 pm CT March 19, 2010.

Officials Investigate Gaskins-Jones Funeral Home

3/19/10

HARRISBURG -- The Saline County State's Attorney is investigating several funerals that have been paid in full, but not provided. They were through the Gaskins-Jones Funeral Home in Harrisburg.

News 3 has been investigating. Attorneys say there
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Small Business Owners Eye Bills in Washington

3/19/10

WSIL-TV--- More espresso drinks mean business is up for Sarah Lavender Brashear.

"We've seen some signs that the economy is getting better and we measure that by what kind of drinks we make," said Brashear.

She and her employees at One Hot Coo
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Carbondale Accountant Indicted

3/19/10

WSIL -- A Jackson County C.P.A. faces federal charges for not filing his own taxes.

Ronald E. Manis, 57, of Carbondale, was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury on four counts of failing to file federal income tax returns.

The indictment a
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Anna Man Sentenced in Murder for Hire Scheme

3/19/10

JONESBORO -- A Union County man has been sentenced to twenty years in prison for his role in a murder for hire scheme.

Brian Rodgers, 30, of Anna was sentenced Friday. He was found guilty of solicitation of murder for hire during an October 2009 t
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Century's Agriculture Program Axed From Curriculum

3/18/10

PULASKI COUNTY-- For years, high school agriculture programs across the country have taught students what they wouldn't normally learn in a regular classroom.

"It was teaching us how to do, change our oil in ag mechanics, and do stuff like that,"
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Parents Throw Serious Accusations At CCHS

3/18/10

CARBONDALE -- Parents of Carbondale Community High School students say they're concerned that drugs are being sold in the school and the administration isn't doing anything about it. At Thursday night's school board meeting parents and concerned citi
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Yoga Helps Arthritis Patients

3/18/10

HERRIN-When she's not on TV reporting the news, you'll most likely find Rachel Gartner here at World of Fitness in Herrin, doing yoga. She says it helps relieve her osteoarthritis pain.

"When I started to do some of the more difficult cardiovascu
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An Increase In Temp Placement May Indicate A Recovering Economy

3/18/10

Temp agencies are showing signs that the unemployment tide may be turning. Companies are starting to hire more temporary workers- an indication full-time hires may soon pick up as well.

21-year-old Mike Ward from Benton used to work maintenance a
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Employee Questions JALC Priorities

3/18/10

CARTERVILLE -- Kelly Rowen is concerned. The single mother found out Tuesday night that she will lose her job as a word processing operator at John A. Logan College, a job she's had for two years. She belives the Board of Trustees and the administrat
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High-Tech Tree Trimming

3/17/10

FRANKLIN COUNTY-- It's not often you see a helicopter hovering just above the tree line- especially a chopper with a large saw hanging below it. The activity had many people wondering what was going on, so we set out to get some answers.

"I've ne
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Upcoming Blood Drives

3/17/10

From the American Red Cross.

3/17/2010, Pinckneyville High School, 600 E. Water, Pinckneyville, IL,
8:45 AM to 1:45 PM

3/20/2010, University Mall, 1237 East Main, Carbondale, IL, 11:00 AM to
3:00 PM

3/22/2010, Southern Illinois University
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High Waters Impact Chester

3/17/10

CHESTER--Last week's wet weather and upstream snow melt are causing flooding in the Middle Mississippi River Valley.

On Wednesday the river was four feet above flood stage in Chester and expected to rise another foot.

With the water up, people
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Saline County Authorities Crack Down On Speeding

3/17/10

SALINE COUNTY-- To many drivers in Saline County, Route 34 is notorious for attracting speeders.

"They drive around there too fast, especially the big trucks," said Charles Hiltibidal, a Raleigh resident that lives close to Route 34. "It's not un
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JALC Board Votes to Cut Eleven Positions

3/16/10

CARTERVILLE-- Eleven full-time positions at John A. Logan College have been either eliminated or reduced to part-time.

College officials continue to lament the fact that their growing institution is being forced to cut staff due to approximately $
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Thieves Steal ATM from Bar

3/16/10

JACOB-- A burglary in Jacob has police searching for suspects and a missing automated teller machine.

Police believe thieves broke into Bottoms Up bar and grill early Monday morning. Burglars took a cash register, liquor and the ATM.

Bolts to
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911 Service Disrupted in Southern Illinois

3/16/10

SALINE COUNTY-- A damaged fiber-optic cable knocked out phone service to thousands of customers on Tuesday, including emergency responders. For hours, 9-1-1 centers in Johnson, Saline, Franklin, Gallatin, and Williamson Counties couldn't receive la
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Shimkus to G.A.: Opt Out of Healthcare Bill

3/16/10

WSIL--- President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform plan is enjoying little support from congressmen in Southern Illinois. One is calling on the Illinois General Assembly to take action against it.

U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, (D )-Belleville, says
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Suspects Wanted In Pedestrian Hit-And-Run

3/14/10

JACKSON CO. -- The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is looking for the driver that hit two people early Sunday morning, and then left the scene.

The incident took place along IL-4, two miles north of Ava. Jeremy Rettig and Kathy Griffin, both of P
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School Cuts Cause Concern Among Student Teachers

3/16/10

Murphysboro Dismisses Nine Teachers For 2010-2011 School Year
MURPHYSBORO -- The Murphysboro School Board decided late Tuesday night to cut nine teachers for the 2010-20111 school year. They include five full-time and four part-time probatio
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DUI Interlock Devices Growing In Use

3/13/10

WILLIAMSON CO. -- State officials say it appears a year-old DUI law is working. It requires those who have been convicted of DUI to install an ignition interlock device in the vehicle, or forego driving for several months.

More than 6,500 drivers
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Sesser Boy Battles Arthritis

3/15/10

SESSER-Lukas Gunter enjoys spending time on the hardwood. The Sesser fourth grader has been playing basketball since first grade.
And while he looks like a healthy ten year old, Lukas was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis at 18 months of age.

"H
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Community Helps Local Boy Fight Back

3/13/10

HARRISBURG -- Basketball season is coming to an end, but folks in Harrisburg spent one more day shooting hoops all to help out a little boy in need.

Jack Bruce of Eldorado is only three years old, but he's already gone through more than most do in
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Census Questionnaires Arrive

3/15/10

CARBONDALE-- The long awaited U.S. Census is underway.

Census forms started arriving in mailboxes Monday and the Census Bureau wants to remind everyone how important it is that you respond.

Even though many of us use email these days, the Censu
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Obesity Hearing in Carbondale

3/15/10

CARBONDALE-- As legislators debate costly healthcare reform, state health officials say one thing we can't afford is Obesity.

In Illinois obesity translates into 3.4 billion dollars each year in health care costs.

A public hearing traveling
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SIU Students Construct Three-Ton Dome

3/15/10

CARBONDALE-- A six-thousand pound steel dome now sits on the campus of SIU. This afternoon, SIU architecture students assembled it, in tribute to the former professor who came up with the design. They hope to call attention to his legacy in Carbond
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City Explains Proposed TIF District Plans

3/15/10

MARION -- Property owners in downtown Marion are learning about the city's plans for a new zone, that would give businesses tax breaks. The proposed TIF, or Tax Increment Financing, District includes a number of commercial lots in the heart of town.
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Gunfire Prompts Stand-Off In Christopher

3/15/10

CHRISTOPHER -- Investigators say shots were fired after a repossesment team tried to take back the vehicle of Benard Flerage, 63 of Christopher. Police received calls from neighbors around 7:30 p.m. Monday of gunfire in the 800 block of S. Snider St
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Teaching Positions Eliminated at Mt. Vernon High School

3/15/10

MT. VERNON--- Six teachers will not be returning to Mt. Vernon High School next year after the school board voted Monday night to eliminate positions.

Members voted unanimously to eliminate positions from a list of subject areas including French,
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Lawmakers Want To Change FOID Restrictions

3/14/10

WHITTINGTON -- The FOID Act of 1968 was established as a way to identify those who are eligible to buy and possess firearms. Under a new bill sponsored by Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, the age requirements will be lowered.

Sarah Gaylord has been sho
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News 3 COVER IT LIVE

2/04/09

WSIL-TV - We're making news interactive with our live blog.

Lets us know If you have reports of breaking news in your community.

Send your comments on stories seen on News-Three.

Begin by clicking on the play button below.

If you have d
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Home Show Educates Visitors On Energy Rebates

3/14/10

MARION -- Southern Illinoisans are quickly grabbing up stimulus money for their homes. In all, $800,000 have been set aside for home improvement rebates.

Dealers at the Home Builders Association of Southern Illinois 2010 Home Show aren't making s
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Talking Politics: Cutting, Spending and Spinning

3/14/10

WSIL -- There wasn't much new in Gov. Pat Quinn's budget speech last Wednesday. He called for spending cuts, more borrowing, more delays paying state bills, and an income tax hike.

Key lawmakers immediately came out against it-- including his ele
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