Volume 39 Number 38 Thursday, September 20, 2018 36 Pages | 75¢ P’ville hearing held about square traffic By Jeff Blair The project isn't funded Roundabout, yet, but the Illinois Depart- ment of Transportation is four-way-stop seeking public input on three alternatives for the intersec- tion of Route 13, Route 127 or traffic and Route 154 at the square signals are in Pinckneyville. The project would be part of alternatives the four-lane corridor project from Carbondale to St. Louis that has been proposed for least impact to right-of-way years. but would also provide the A public hearing was held worst level of service for September 12 at the Pinckney- traffic. This would also be ville Junior High School to the cheapest alternative, give residents a chance to see costing an estimated $2.35 the three alternative plans million. and to give their input. IDOT The third alternative, set up tables with diagrams which would be traffic showing the alternatives. signals, would provide an Alternative one is a round- acceptable level of service, about. According to IDOT, this according to IDOT, and would provide the best level would provide the best of service but would also have flow of traffic. There would the highest impact to right- be minimal modifications of-way and cause the most needed by businesses, and The preferred route, alternative U-1, is shown in yellow. The other two alternatives problems for pedestrians in pedestrian travel would be are shown in blue and a dotted line. The blue represents a different new bridge that area. This option would safer. The estimated cost route, and the dotted line represents rehabilitation to the existing bridge. also have the biggest impact of this alternative is $3.1 on businesses, including the million. Perry County Jail and the All three alternatives in- southeast corner of the court- clude demolishing the for- house lawn. The estimated mer Lukes Restaurant and Study recommends cost for this proposal would the former consignment be $4 million. store at the corner of Main Alternative two would be a and East Mulberry streets. four-way stop. According to The courthouse itself new Chester bridge IDOT representatives, this option would provide the Continued on Page 5____ By Travis Lott day transportation. Missouri side. After a two-year-long en- The preferred alternative The final approval of this al- vironmental impact study, chosen by ch2m is option ternative will occur after the ch2m has announced that U-1, shown on the drawing Federal Highway Administra- its preferred alternative is above. It will run alongside tion reviews and approves the construction of a new the current bridge, approx- the environmental assess- Chester Bridge. imately 75 feet upstream. ment, which is expected in The Missouri Department Project manager Buddy early 2019. of Transportation commis- Desai previously said the The environmental impact sioned ch2m to perform the alternative was ideal be- study has remained right study work into the possi- cause its effect on the sur- on schedule. Desai told the bility of a new bridge. The rounding environment County Journal in August current bridge is considered was minimal, as it would of 2016 that the study would functionally obsolete, mean- impact neither Segar Me- take two years to complete. ing that the structure is morial Park on the Chester He said at that time that con- sound, but its narrow lanes side nor the Phillips 66 and struction would not occur make it unfit for modern- Conoco gas stations on the until 2020 or 2021. Ed Fisher of Chester, portraying Shadrach Bond, votes in the re-enactment of the election of 1818. He tells the judge, portrayed by Commissioner Ronnie White, his ballot choices. 1818 election held again Sunday was voting day at of Chester was Menard. Kaskaskia Island. Only white men 21 or old- Several people dressed in er could vote. People in the period clothing re-enacted crowd were given small the election of 1818, when cards with a name on Illinois elected Shadrach them, and if those names Bond as governor, Pierre were men old enough, they Menard as lieutenant gov- voted. Flight Fest ernor and John McLean Each man called forward Cloudless blue skies met scores of pilots last Saturday, when Sparta Aero Services to the U.S. House of Repre- voted by voice for three hosted its Flight Fest at the Sparta airport. Shown here is an Air Force L-16A, sentatives. candidates. There was no which was popular with kids. Officials estimated a crowd of about 1,100 specta- About 200 people were on privacy in 1818. tors milling about the tarmac looking at older and newer planes, visiting vendors hand to hear some short Dr. William Reynolds ran and taking in the car show. Young Eagle flights were provided at no charge to 80 speeches from the candi- against Menard. He was youngsters. The 50-50 drawing was won by Scott Linders of Sparta, who donated dates. Ed Fisher of Chester his $158 winnings back to help with the fest expenses. portrayed Bond. Nate Brown Continued on Page 5____ Sparta Reid sells long-time family-owned restaurant man By Dan Zobel place.” A longtime Chester res- Roger, who is 80, was born taurant is now under new and raised in Chester and killed Robert Cassady ownership. graduated from Chester A 20-year-old Sparta man Effective September 1, High School. was killed in a one-vehicle Roger and Kathy Surman He and Kathy look for- traffic crash near Coulter- purchased Reids’ Harvest ward to serving customers ville Sunday. House from Brad and Tia with the same food and According to state police, Reid. friendly service that has at 8:42 a.m., Robert Cassady Bob and Joan Reid opened been the tradition at Reids’ was northbound on County the now popular eatery in over the years. Line Road about a quarter 1982. Brad and Tia joined Roger will bring with him mile south of Mary’s Creek the partnership in 1989. some restaurant ownership Road, when his pickup truck “I knew Bob pretty well,” experience, as he said he ran off the right side of the Roger said. “I’ve eaten owned a small fast-food res- road and struck a mailbox. here many times through- taurant about 25 years ago. The truck then drove back out the years.” While Roger and Kathy across the roadway and ex- Roger said there are no are the sole owners of the ited the left side, overturning plans to make any changes restaurant, Roger said an unknown number of times to the restaurant. Brad will still assist when before coming to rest upright. “This restaurant has a needed. Coroner Carlos Barbour great reputation,” Roger “Brad will be pretty active said Cassady’s body was out said. “It’s extremely well in the business for a long of the vehicle, and he was known in the area and Roger Surman in front of Reids’ Harvest House in Chester. dead at the scene. all over. It’s really a great Continued on Page 5______ He and his wife Kathy bought the restaurant September 1. Willis Publishing Inc. © Copyright 2018 MONEY $AVING COUPONS INSIDE! PAGE 2 COUNTY JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 police We Accept ALL Insurance Another Police blotters Company Claims Robert L. Young, 33, David Williams, 39, of Steeleville was ar- of Centreville was ar- rested September 16 rested September 10 by Menard inmate by Sparta police for Sparta police for bat- resisting arrest, driv- tery. He was jailed. **** ing an uninsured ve- found dead hicle, reckless driving Joan E. Bussen, 68, and driving on a sus- Another Menard Barbour said the in- of Smithton was ar- pended license. He was Jim Gasser, 30 Years Experience Correctional Center mate was alone in a rested September 11 by Owner • jailed. inmate was found single cell at the me- the Randolph County **** dead Sunday evening. dium security unit. sheriff’s office for do- 715 West Broadway • Steeleville Alexander W. Swyear, While Coroner Car- There were three mestic battery, crimi- 33, of Sparta was ar- 618-965-2886 los Barbour refused other deaths at Men- nal trespass to a resi- rested September 16 by MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:00AM - 4:30PM to release the name ard over the past two dence and unlawful the Randolph County of the inmate, he said weeks, but Barbour damage to a vehicle. sheriff’s office for do- the death appeared to said this was not in She posted bond. mestic battery. He was be due to self-inflicted the same cell block as **** TUESDAY jailed. FREE POPCORNTUESDAYS & asphyxiation. the other deaths. Efrain J. Morales, **** $5.50 MOVIE TICKETS 53, of Chester was ar- Bring Your Own Container Zanaida Morales, And Receive One Free Popcorn Fill rested September 16 by www.spartashowtime.com With Your Movie Ticket Purchase 55, of Chester was ar- Offer Valid Tuesdays Only. One Per Person. Free Popcorn Equivalent To Medium Size Popcorn. (Approx. 130 oz.) Chester police for do- rested September 16 by ★★ MOVIE HOTLINE 443-1234 ★★ mestic battery. He was Showtimes SEPTEMBER 21-27 Chester police for do- Pinckneyville jailed. The House With A mestic battery. Morales UNBROKEN **** Clock In Its Walls Path To Redemption was jailed. PG PG-13 Ricky A. Owens, **** Fri. (4:30), 7:15 & 9:40 Fri. (4:40), 7:00 & 9:20 ATV accident 44, of Chester was ar- Sat. (1:15), (3:40), 7:15 & 9:40 Sat. (1:30), (3:50), 7:00 & 9:20 William Green-Mon- Sun. (12:15), (2:40) 5:10 & 7:35 old’s car.