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Williamson Co. to host handgun safety class

Williamson Co. to host handgun safety class

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Williamson County Sheriff's office will host a handgun safety class for residents.

The class will be on Saturday, July 14 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the new Williamson County Sheriff's office located at 404 N. Van Buren St, Marion, IL.  There will be three hours of classroom discussion followed by four hours of range activity.

The handgun safety class will focus on basic safety for handgun owners and their families, proper cleaning and storage of weapons, and Illinois laws about gun ownership.

The class is limited to 12 participants.

Participants will be allowed to bring their handguns to class and fire them at the range. Anyone bringing in a personal handgun  must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid FOID card.

For more information, or to apply to join the class, contact Deputy John Fleming, Monday through Thursday 8-4 at the Williamson County Sheriff's Office 997-6541.

John A. Logan College announces new men's basketball coach

John A. Logan College announces new men's basketball coach

CARTERVILLE, IL (KFVS) - John A. Logan College announced their new men's head basketball coach on Tuesday.

Kyle Smithpeters, 29, has been named the new coach.

Smithpeters graduated from Harrisburg High School in 2001. He played two years for Southeastern Illinois then he played his last two years at Southern Illinois University. Smithpeters graduated in 2006 with a degree in history.

After graduation, Smithpeters was an assistant coach at Southeastern Illinois for a year. For the the next four seasons, Smithpeters was the assistant coach at John A. Logan college. Last year, he was an assistant coach at  Missouri State University.

Smithpeters is the son of Randy Smithpeters, the longtime basketball coach for Harrisburg High School.

Shawnee Forest to host ArborWild

Shawnee Forest to host ArborWild

(KFVS) - Shawnee National Forest will host an outdoor education program this summer called ArborWild.

The program began as part of the U.S. Forest Service’s Centennial Celebrations in 2005 and has been very popular. This year, it will be held at two locations in southern Illinois: Tuesday, June 12 at Evergreen Park, in Carbondale and Wednesday, June 13 at Memorial Park in Harrisburg.

The forest say the day will include a bird obstacle course, fishing, wildland firefighters and their engine, crafts, Native American rock art, Nature Jeopardy, Carbondale Science Center (Evergreen Park site only), bat biologists and a visit from Smokey Bear.

The event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., however the activities are on-going and the public is welcome at any time. All ages are invited to attend, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, or to register a large group, you can contact Linda Hauser at 618-833-8576.

Miners to host National Pro FastPitch

Miners to host National Pro FastPitch

MARION, IL (KFVS) - The Southern Illinois Miners will be hosting the National Pro FastPitch Chicago Bandits as they will take on the Collinsville Extreme in pre-season play on Tuesday, June 5.

The game will start at 7:05 p.m. at Rent One Park. Festivities will start with the Bandits conducting a clinic for youth softball players from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The registration fee for the clinic is $50 per player.

You can contact the Rent One Park Box office for ticket information at 618-998-8499. Price admission is $7. Bandit players will sign autographs for all fans immediately after the game.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.

27th annual fishing expedition scheduled for Wed.

27th annual fishing expedition scheduled for Wed.

CARBONDALE, IL (KFVS) - The 27th Annual Fishing Expedition for Special Populations will be Wednesday, May 9 at Bleye Lake.

The participants will come from Southern Illinois schools and sheltered workshops in Jackson, Williamson, Union and other surrounding counties. The event will begin at 9 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m.

The Bank of Carbondale says over 1,300 Special Population youngsters and adults, volunteers and staff will line the shores of Bleyer Lake for this event. They will spend the day fishing and will be provided a picnic lunch. They say all of the fishing equipment is provided free of charge to the participants.

Bleyer Lake is located 1.5 miles south of Midland Inn, just off Country Club Road.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.

Miners sign one of Oakland A's former top prospects

Miners sign one of Oakland A's former top prospects

MARION, IL (KFVS) - The Southern Illinois Miners announced the signing of left-handed pitcher Max Peterson.

The Miners say Peterson was previously named one of the Oakland A’s top prospects by Baseball Intellect, and is entering his 4th season of professional baseball.

Max has pitched in 80 professional games for the A’s organization since being drafted in the 18th round of the 2009 Major League Draft. His best season was 2010 when he pitched for the Kane County Cougars.  Peterson had a 3.76 era, striking out 70 over 52 innings and held opposing hitters to a .190 batting average. In over 125 career innings pitched he has struck out 153 while walking 75 and allowing 118 hits. He carries a career era of 4.34.

“We received good reports about Max from the A’s organization," said Miners manager Mike Pinto. "Max has a low 90’s fastball and excellent curve ball and slider.  We expect he will be a late game presence for us this season.”

Southern Ill. Miners to host try-outs for caller at games

Southern Ill. Miners to host try-outs for caller at games

MARION, IL (KFVS) - Rent One Park will be hosting try-outs April 12 for those interested in joining the announcing team of Steve Falat and "Wild" Bill Glenn as a back-up voice for the Southern Illinois Miners.

Try-outs will be at Rent One Park at 5:30 p.m. Those interested should contact Jeff Holtke, director of production, at jeffh@southernillinoisminers.com or at 618-969-8543.

Those interested should be available to call all or most of the Miners 48 home games. Also, potential candidates should be aware that they will need to be available for potential post season games and other events at Rent One Park. They must also have a flexible schedule regarding changes in dates and times due to weather or other issues that might arise with the scheduled game.

Opening day is Friday, May 18. For more information, you can visit the Southern Illinois Miners online by clicking here.