Local
Winding down to the primary
Opportunities for absentee ballots, grace period registration, early voting
By PAUL LORENZ
paul.lorenz@mcleansborotimesleader.com
McLEANSBORO — Opportunities to cast votes in next month’s primary election prior to the actual election day begin this week.
Locally, the lone contested race in the Feb. 2 primary is on the Democratic side, where three candidates — Jody Benbrook, David R. Campbell and Kenny Shreve, all of McLeansboro — seek their party’s nomination for sheriff. The winner will go up against Republican incumbent Sheriff Greg Brenner in the general election.
For Hamilton County Board, incumbent Republicans Donald E. Mitchell — the board’s chairman — and John R. Chapman of McLeansboro seek to retain their seats in a field which includes Republican Joe Bernard of Dahlgren, Democrat Wilburn D. “Willie” Grubb of Enfield and Democrat Michael Mezo of McLeansboro.
Since no more than three candidates from any party have filed for County Board, all five will move on to the general election Nov. 2, when three will be elected to at-large seats.
Statewide offices will also be on the primary ballot, including the office of governor.
Applications for absentee ballots for the primary will be accepted until Jan. 28 at the office of the Hamilton County clerk at the courthouse in McLeansboro, according to information from County Clerk Mary Anne Hopfinger.
Grace period registration and voting started Wednesday in the county clerk’s office and continues Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m., until Jan. 26.
Early voting will be conducted in the county clerk’s office, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, Jan. 11 to 28.
• For more information: Hamilton County clerk’s office, 643-2721.
- Local
-
-
All-class reunion in the works
If you attended high school here, you might want to keep July 2012 open on your calendar.
-
Reward increased to $50,000
Recent acts of vandalism against power substations and power poles in Hamilton and Franklin counties have forced Southern Illinois Power Cooperative to increase the reward from $10,000 to $50,000 for tips leading to the arrest of vandals.
-
Tillis to headline Fall Festival lineup
Country music legend Mel Tillis will be the featured entertainment at this year’s Kiwanis Fall Festival.
-
Extracurricular policy revised
A policy revision approved Tuesday night by the Hamilton County Unit 10 Board of Education draws the line regarding extracurricular athletic participation by its students.
-
County Board votes to put ‘concealed carry’ question on ballot
Voters in Hamilton County will have the chance to voice their opinion at the ballot box regarding “concealed carry” legislation.
-
Transformer vandals sought
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate a recent incident which had the potential to cost its victim — an area power company — up to $2 million, a company statement said.
-
Committee looks to add sidewalks at track facility
This spring, Hamilton County Junior/Senior High School hosted track meets for the first time in years thanks to a new all-weather track.
-
Audit: City finances in good shape
The city’s financial management got positive marks and its budget showed mostly positive balances for the recently concluded fiscal year, according to the annual audit report presented at the City Council meeting Tuesday night.
-
Home rehab help
Homeowners in Hamilton County who need major repairs to their homes may be eligible for help from Wabash Area Development Inc.
-
Mom charged with kidnapping
Kidnapping and child abduction charges have been filed against a woman accused of taking her son from a rural Hamilton County home in violation of an order of protection.
- More Local Headlines
-
All-class reunion in the works





