Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree

2 weeks ago | bnd.com | Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree

The American Lung Association is kicking off Lung Cancer Action Week on Monday to promote screenings for lung cancer. As part of the effort, the association will offer free lung cancer screenings in May and June, placing increased emphasis on the importance of screenings for Black men and women. "In recent years, lung cancer cases have dramatically increased among the Black community," said Mikayla Pittman, nationwide lung cancer screening manager for the association.

2 weeks ago | bnd.com | Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree

CHATHAM - The community is channeling its grief into support, planning vigils and fundraisers in the aftermath of a Monday afternoon crash in which a vehicle traveled through a building housing an after-school program, killing four and injuring six. Killed were Rylee Britton, 18, of Springfield; and Ainsley Johnson, 8, Alma Buhnerkempe, 7, and Kathryn Corley, 7, all of Chatham, according to Sangamon County Coroner's Office.

3 weeks ago | bnd.com | Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree

HARDIN - The Joe Page Bridge, which connects Calhoun and Greene counties over the Illinois River, will be closed for repair beginning at 6:30 a.m. May 5. The bridge is expected to reopen by 5 p.m. May 17. A detour will be available using Illinois Route 100, Illinois Route 108 and Eldred-Hillview Road. The detour will be marked. An extra ferry will be available at Kampsville and Brussells between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the closure.

3 weeks ago | bnd.com | Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree

A 14-year-old boy was arrested Tuesday in connection with a threat that closed Franklin schools for the day. School and Morgan County Sheriff's Department officials were notified late Monday of a text exchange that indicated there would be a school shooting Tuesday morning. School officials canceled classes for the day while the threat was investigated.

3 weeks ago | bnd.com | Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree

Classes were canceled Tuesday for Franklin school district as school and law enforcement officials investigate a threat made overnight. Superintendent Jeff Waggener said school officials received a screen shot of a message sent to a student in which a threat was made involving the school. The school district is working with the Morgan County Sheriff's Department and expects to release more information after the investigation has concluded, Waggener said.