The Herrin Independent - Swinford Media Group

09/03/2024

08/30/2024

Get ready Herrin Tigers! HERRIN TIGER FOOTBALL Herrin Athletics & Activities Department

Tomorrow night, Marion's football team takes on their rival Herrin in the season opener at 7 PM at Wildcat Stadium! 😼🏟️ Can't attend in person? No problem! The Swinford Media Group's Wildcat Gameday crew will be streaming the action live, starting at 6:15 with the Moreland-Bishop McDonald's Pregame Show. 🏈🎥 Marion High School Athletics

08/28/2024

UPDATE: The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office says two juvenile suspects were taken into custody after a stolen vehicle police pursuit this morning. It all started with a hit and run accident around 7:37 a.m. in the construction zone near Illinois Route 148 and Grassy Road. The suspect vehicle was later discovered to be stolen out of Mound City, Illinois.

An officer later spotted the vehicle at Illinois Route 148 at Illinois Route 13 with significant front-end damage. The suspects fled from officers and later lost control and collided with a stationary vehicle at Stotlar Road and South 13th Street in Herrin where they exited the vehicle and fled on foot, prompting a lockdown of Herrin hospital and local schools.

WCSO along with multiple area departments worked to apprehend the two juvenile suspects after an initial foot pursuit and search of residential neighborhoods. The WCSO says they have prior criminal history. An investigation is ongoing.

08/28/2024

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝘅𝗲𝘀
——————
In this week's three Swinford Publications newspapers: A former Williamson County Commissioner is calling on the current board and Supervisor of Assessment to take part in a special meeting after scores of local residents have noticed sharp increases to their real estate tax bills.

“Since the taxes have come out, I have fielded a lot of questions and people asking me for advice on what to do,” Brent Gentry wrote on a Facebook post. "People are not happy. The high increases in taxes is definitely not just one persons fault. It needs to be explained.”

He told Swinford Media Group this week that 43 people have reached out to him about major increases on their annual bill. See this week's print editions of The Marion Star, Herrin Independent and Carterville Courier for the full story.

08/25/2024

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧 - 𝐏𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐬 & 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬

Construction around Marion’s Tower Square is really starting to come together and Bill and Monica bring an update. Monica shares more from the “He Said, She Said” book and her trip to visit family out east. She also cautions listeners about trusting Bill with their childhood traumas, such as ventriloquist’s dummies. And then everything screeches to a halt after Monica runs out on her co-host. Also, Tom gets his own camera!

Listen or watch now on these platforms:
🔗 Spotify: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/squareduppodcast
🔗 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/squared-up/id1745972207
🔗 YouTube: youtu.be/Lagb35KUfE4

Share your thoughts with us, and stay tuned for another episode later this week!

08/09/2024

Are you ready for some football? 🏈 The Swinford Media Group is excited to introduce a new live-streaming series of high school football games called “WFCN News Game of the Week.” Starting in just three weeks, we’ll be bringing you the top matchups from Williamson and Franklin Counties, streamed right here on our page! 🎥 This series will complement our regular “Wildcat Gameday” coverage on The Marion Star page. With two broadcast teams, we’ll deliver live action from the biggest Friday Night Lights games this fall! 🌟 For more details about the broadcast or advertising opportunities, reach out to [email protected].

Benton High School Athletics
Carterville Athletics
West Frankfort Redbirds 168
Herrin Athletics & Activities Department
Johnston City Schools
Sesser Valier Community Unit Schools
Christopher

08/01/2024

Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Southern Illinois (Williamson & Saline Counties) will be hosting their 2nd annual Trivia Night on August 9th at 6:00 pm at Aldersgate Church in Marion, IL. The cost of a table is $200 with max 8 people per table ($25 per person). Funds raised will go right back into the schools of Southern Illinois. This is a great night of fellowship and fun so sign up for your tables now.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceoplqDAn517yF7lVetDV8VACVx1UkImT26hIqKqbWBxOIgA/viewform

07/31/2024

Congratulations to Monterrey, Mexico on winning this year’s C**t World Series!

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Monterrey, Mexico wins the 🏆 by defeating Prague, Czech Republic, 6-1!

**tWorldSeries2024

07/31/2024

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒕.

Prague, Czech Republic vs. Monterrey, Mexico. Coming up next.

**tWorldSeries2024

07/30/2024

07/30/2024

All-Conference baseball & softball members are invited to the **tWorldSeries to be recognized for their accomplishments ✨

Rescheduled Event: The recognition will now be on Tuesday night, July 30th, at Mtn Dew Park before the start of the Championship Game. Please check in at the table outside of the front gates before 6:15 PM 😎

07/30/2024

John A. Logan College is introducing a new mascot, a horse inspired by General John A. Logan’s Civil War service. This horse symbolizes General Logan's valor and legacy in education and public service.

The college community is invited to help name the mascot. Voting starts on August 12 at jalc.edu/namethemascot, with the name being revealed at the start of the Spring 2025 semester.

The new mascot will debut at welcome-back events on August 9, with merchandise available later in the semester. Classes for the fall semester begin on August 12, and walk-in registration starts on August 1.

07/28/2024

𝑭𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑳 ⚾

Marion, Illinois was too much for their local foe and reigning champion, Southern Illinois, winning 16-3 in Game 10 of the **tWorldSeries2024.

07/28/2024

Attention local baseball fans! The 11 a.m. matchup at this year's C**t World Series will be a special one as the two local hosts teams — Marion and Southern Illinois — are set to square off at Mtn Dew Park. About 40 local baseball players and their coaches from all around the southern Illinois region and parts of West Kentucky will be battling for the chance to keep their C**t World Series championship dreams alive. Marion is 1-1 so far and Southern Illinois is 0-1 after receiving a first-round bye and losing last night.

07/28/2024

07/27/2024

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧 - 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬

September 7th will be the 20th anniversary of Veterans On Parade and it will also introduce a new way to honor our veterans: “Freedom Sings!” Find out how you can participate as professional songwriters pair with a select group of war veterans to tell their stories in a concert on Tower Square. Also, speaking of the square, Bill and Monica discuss some of the features being installed in new crosswalks that will make it safer for pedestrians.

Listen or watch now on these platforms:
🔗 Spotify: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/squareduppodcast
🔗 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/squared-up/id1745972207
🔗 YouTube: youtu.be/mQdzzaGhYGo

Share your thoughts with us, and stay tuned for another episode later this week!

07/25/2024

The Swinford Media Group team will be at MTN Dew Park next week, providing official media coverage for the C**t World Series 2024. Follow our pages, as well as their Instagram and Facebook, for exciting updates from the tournament!

Schedule of **tWorldSeries2024 events for Friday, July 26 ⚾

📅 : July 25-30, 2024
📍 : Mtn Dew Park
🗺 : Visitsi & The City of Marion Illinois
🎟 : Tickets available at the Box Office
🖥 : Live stream available here ➡ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3L9Ch9hWfbqkxsM3c2IAod9yp8uyCgRa

Need more information? Click here ➡ https://www.coltworldseries.org

07/17/2024

NEW INFORMATION: The new location will be in the former site of Pizza Hut once the current building is demolished. A building permit for the new location has been approved. No word on when construction may begin.

07/12/2024

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧 - 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫?

Did you know that Bill is a country crooner who performs using a pseudonym? Watch and find out where he is performing on stage this weekend. Also, Bill and Monica discuss a great new restaurant find in the region, a trip to a local spillway, their visit to two fireworks shows and some other recent events and news.

Listen or watch now on these platforms:
🔗 Spotify: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/squareduppodcast
🔗 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/squared-up/id1745972207
🔗 YouTube: youtu.be/dfnV9COsfy8

Share your thoughts with us, and stay tuned for another episode later this week!

07/08/2024

Show is this weekend. Swinford Media owner Bill Swinford is in the cast. Cowboy Bob is getting nervous.

Swinford Media again represented by father-daughter act in show put on by the Pyramid Players

07/07/2024

The Marion-based AAU Basketball program has now won their fifth National Championship at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando. The team features eight players from Southern Illinois and coached by Riley (owner of the Swinford Media Group) Sam (head coach of Southeastern Illinois College) and Ross Swinford (Multimedia Content Coordinator for Swinford Media Group and Creative Intern at Southern Illinois University).

07/03/2024

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞 - 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚

In this Independence Day version of the “Squared Up” podcast, hosts Bill and Monica run down the options for fireworks locally, discuss some scams being perpetrated by some door-to-door sales people and talk about the problem that loud music causes older ears when dining out. They also share another segment from “He Said/She Said."

Listen or watch now on these platforms:
🔗 Spotify: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/squareduppodcast
🔗 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/squared-up/id1745972207
🔗 YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8UY18vyHTl9PadOhVJZ90uP0VKoTBXsv&si=3SGfXv6baxtai6qQ

Share your thoughts with us, and stay tuned for another episode later this week!

07/01/2024

“𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐔𝐩” 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 - 𝐕𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐥!

In the eleventh episode of Swinford Media Group’s “Squared Up” podcast, hosts Bill Swinford and Monica Daniels hear from two followers of their podcast. One of them is a big fan, the other one sets Monica straight on what Chicago contributes to our local economy. They also discuss the cool new “Medians of Refuge” on Marion’s Tower Square” and discuss another excerpt from the “He Said, She Said” book.

Listen or watch now on these platforms:
🔗 Spotify: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/squareduppodcast
🔗 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/squared-up/id1745972207
🔗 YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8UY18vyHTl9PadOhVJZ90uP0VKoTBXsv&si=3SGfXv6baxtai6qQ

Share your thoughts with us, and stay tuned for another episode later this week!

06/27/2024

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟐𝟓 - 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐤𝐲

In a special summer installment of "Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee," presented by the Swinford Media Group, host Kerry Martin sits down with his former athletic director at Marion, Ryan Goodisky, at the Crown Brew Coffee Shop in Marion, Illinois. They discuss Goodisky's upbringing in Zeigler, his experiences as a multi-sport athlete, and his educational journey, including earning a bachelor's degree in education and a master's in administration from SIU-Carbondale. He went on to teach social studies at Mt. Vernon and coach football and girls' track before being hired by Marion Unit 2 in 2016 as the high school’s athletic director. The conversation covers Goodisky's journey in high school sports, both in coaching and administration, and highlights the recent successes Marion High School has achieved under his leadership. Goodisky was named the 2023-24 IADA 3A and 4A Division 7 "Athletic Director of the Year." Be sure to tune in to this engaging conversation!

Listen or watch now on these platforms:
🔗 Spotify: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coachesatcrownbrew
🔗 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coaches-at-crown-brew-getting-coffee/id1709412544
🔗 YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8UY18vyHTl80TFidOSlTgrqc9N5aFR4w&si=j418oSHWT6sSiTcN

Click the links above to listen or watch now, and be sure to subscribe for more amazing episodes to come!

06/26/2024

“𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐔𝐩” 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐧 - 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲

In the tenth episode of Swinford Media Group’s “Squared Up” podcast, hosts Bill Swinford and Monica Daniels describe a recent visit to her hometown in central Illinois, when Bill met members of her family for the first time. How did it go? Watch and find out!

Listen or watch now on these platforms:
🔗 Spotify: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/squareduppodcast
🔗 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/squared-up/id1745972207
🔗 YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8UY18vyHTl9PadOhVJZ90uP0VKoTBXsv&si=3SGfXv6baxtai6qQ

Share your thoughts with us, and stay tuned for another episode later this week!