Ultimate Fighter Andrew Sanchez of Shiloh (Photo courtesy: The Ultimate Fighting Championship)

Police chief attends White House conference; officer involved in shooting

Swansea Police Chief Steve Johnson was one of an elite corps of 41 police chiefs from across nation, invited to Obama administration’s 21st Century Policing Conference, July 11, at the White House.  The Swansea department has won recognition for innovative programs to improve police-community relation. Among them: a transparency initiative under which the department publically posts, on social media, reports on use-of-force incidents, as well as data on the number of times office have been in life-threatening situations.

The Washington conference occurred on the same day a coalition of area religious and civil rights leaders held an anti-violence vigil at the New Life in Christ Interdenominational Church in O’Fallon. The coalition released an open letter urging elected officials to take action to prevent “senseless killings” of black men and women and police officers in the Metro-East.

It also occurred on the same day as a fatal officer-involved shooting in East St. Louis. Police responded to the intersection of 16th and Gaty, just after 6 a.m., following reports of a naked man firing rounds from a pair of rifles into traffic. Police say they shot and fatally wounded Jason Brooks, 41, of East St. Louis, after he pointed one of the rifles at them.

The Illinois State Police are investigating the incident.

Rep. Kay named to school funding reform panel

State Rep. Dwight Kay of Shiloh is among 25 members appointed by Gov. Bruce Rauner, June  12, to the new, bipartisan Illinois School Funding Reform Commission. The commission is to issue reform proposals to the governor and General Assembly by Feb. 1.

Gov. Rauner reportedly has not indicated what direction he would like the commission to take; saying all options should be considered.  State funding reform is a top priority for a number of financially troubled Metro-East school districts.

College approves 8 percent budget cut

The Lewis and Clark Community College Board, July 12, approved a $31.5 million budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year (FY).  The new budget reduces expenditures 8.5 percent from FY 2015-16.  The reduction was  necessitated by state funding shortfalls that have virtually eliminated the college’s once-healthy fund balances, according to L&C President Dale Chapman.

It will take the form of cuts to materials and travel expenditures.

Earlier this year, the board approved issuance of $8 million in bonds to ensure operating revenues.  However, that has prompted criticism from some college district residents during board meetings and public hearing. Critics note the college district now has 11 outstanding bond issues and has steadily increased tax rates to pay for them.

During a public hearing last week on the new L&C budget, one speaker called on the college to cut costs by eliminating  three projects: the Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities, the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, and the planned Scott Bibb Center in the former St. Patrick’s School.

However, L&C President Chapman insists the answer to the college’ current fiscal lies in stabilizing state funding.

Du Quoin State Fair to charge admission fee

Organizers of the 2016 Du Quoin State Fair announced July 1 that the fair for the first time will charge an admission fee this year.  All adult fairgoers will be charged $2 to enter the grounds. Children under the age of 13 will still be admitted for free.

The fair will introduce new theme days which will give select fairgoers free admission to the fairgrounds on those days.

The admission fee is necessary to cut losses on fair operations over recent years, organizers say.

In addition to charging a $2 adult admission fee, fair organizers have adjusted camping fees, renegotiated contracts, and brought in new sponsors to the fair.

Even with the new admission fee, the Du Quoin State Fair remains the least expensive state fair in the Midwest, organizers say.

Parking rates for the 2016 Du Quoin State Fair will remain unchanged.  All public parking inside the fairgrounds will be $12 per day and all public parking outside the grounds will be $7 per day.  In addition, season parking passes can be purchased for $30.

Similar fee changes have been implemented for the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.

Shiloh native named Ultimate Fighter

Accomplished Metro-East mixed martial artist Andrew Sanchez won The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s 2016 light heavyweight crown, June 12, in an internationally televised bout in Las Vegas.   

Sanchez was twice an NAIA national wrestling champion while attending O’Fallon Township High School and a four-time collegiate All-American while wrestling for McKendree University.

He holds belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other fighting disciplines. He has a record of nine wins in 11 fights since turning professional.  

As an Ultimate Fighter champion, Sanchez – now known professionally as “El Dirte” – earned a Harley-Davidson and a contract for six future bouts at The Ultimate Fighting (TUF) events.  

This year’s TUF championship matches came on the same day the 23-year-old mixed martial arts league was sold to the Beverly Hills talent agency WME-IMG for a reported $4 billion.

–Metro East Area News Briefs–