Today is Monday, April 18, 2022
Today is Lineman Appreciation Day! Today is also Boston Marathon (125th).
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Today we expect cloudy skies and a high near 58°, with possible wind gusts as high as 26 mph.
Tonight – Clear, with a low around 36. Northwest wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Tuesday – Sunny, with a high near 60°.
Tuesday Night – Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44°.
The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Special Weather statement for our area. There is a chance of thunderstorms Wednesday and Wednesday night.
Today is Lineman Appreciation Day! The hard work, dedication, and innovation of electrical lineworkers are honored and celebrated today. The idea for National Lineman Appreciation Day came when lineman Bill Bosch realized the public was largely unaware of the work that lineworkers do and thought that should change. He wanted lineworkers to be honored with a day and submitted legislation for National Lineman Appreciation Day to Congress. He chose April 18 for the date because his father, M.L. “Cliff” Bosch, who also was a lineman, passed away on the date in 1992.
On April 10, 2013, Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) submitted Senate Resolution 95 on behalf of himself and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), and it was agreed to by unanimous consent. It “recognize[d] the efforts of linemen in keeping the power on and protecting public safety” and “support[ed] the designation of April 18, 2013, as National Lineman Appreciation Day.” The day has continued to be observed each year since.
Linemen—or lineworkers—construct and maintain “electric power transmission, telecommunications lines (cable, internet and phone), and distribution lines.” They work with energized and de-energized power lines and install or replace distribution equipment like capacitor banks, distribution transformers on poles, insulators, and fuses. Their work can be dangerous, so they wear personal protective equipment such as rubber gloves and sleeves, and utilize protective blankets, insulated bucket liners, and hot sticks.
Lineworkers work outside at all times of day, in all types of weather, and often far from home. At times they are first responders, showing up to restore power after storms and natural disasters and making the area safe for other first responders. National Lineman Appreciation Day came on the heels of Hurricane Sandy, which affected 24 states and did $65 million in damage, and where lineworkers came from all over to get the country up and running again.
The profession began in the 1840s when the telegraph became widespread. Those who put up wooden poles and strung telegraph lines on them became known as linemen. The profession expanded following the invention of the telephone in the 1870s and with the start of electrification in the 1890s, since both the telephone and electricity used lines similar to the telegraph.
The risk of electrocution from power lines made the work more dangerous than it had been, to the point that linework was one of the most hazardous jobs of the early twentieth century. On account of this, labor organizations were formed in the late 1930s to represent lineworkers and address their safety concerns. The danger of the job also spurred apprenticeship programs and more stringent safety standards.
Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal expanded rural electrification in the United States in the 1930s, which in turn expanded jobs in the electric power industry. Many lineworkers during this era traveled around the country to where the work was. Not only did they string wires, but they constructed towers and substations. They often spent weeks or months in a location and then moved to another. With continued residential electrification expansion in the 1940s and ’50s, the demand for lineworkers for maintenance and repairs continued.
Today, an aspiring lineworker usually serves as an apprentice during a four-year-long training program, and then becomes a “Journey Lineworker.” In addition, schools like Southeast Lineman Training Center and Northwest Lineman College provide lineworker training that precedes apprenticeship work. The profession remains essential for the functioning of society, and as of 2020, there are more than 115,000 lineworkers in the United States. We honor and celebrate them with National Lineman Appreciation Day!
Today is also Boston Marathon (125th). The Boston Marathon, the oldest annual marathon in the world, takes place today. It was first held on April 19, 1897, when fifteen runners participated. It was inspired by the first Olympic marathon, which was held the previous year in Athens, Greece. John Graham, a Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) member and team manager of the first Olympic team, created the marathon. At first, it was a local event, but runners now come from all over the world.
The distance of the original Olympic marathon in 1896 was 24.8 miles, which was based on the distance that Pheidippides was said to have run between Marathon and Athens when he delivered the news that Greece had defeated the Persian army. At the 1908 Olympic games in London, the distance was set to 26 miles, 385 yards. The race began outside of the Windsor Castle so that the royal family could view the start. It was then 26 miles to the Olympic stadium. An extra 385 yards were added so that the runners could finish around a track, and so that the race would finish in front of the king and queen’s royal box. Olympic marathon distances varied following this until they were permanently put at the 1908 length starting in 1924. Similarly, the Boston Marathon length had varied over the years but was also made to match the Olympic distance in 1924.
The Boston route is known for its winding roads and hilly terrain. Because of the Newtown hills, which include Heartbreak Hill, it is known as one of the harder marathons to run. However, world and American records cannot be set at it, because the elevation drops 459 feet during the course of the race.
The race is open to participants from all nations, but they must be at least 18 and meet qualifying standards. These standards include having recently completed a marathon that is part of the International Association of Athletics Federations in a certain amount of time. Usually, more than 30,000 runners now participate in the race. It was free to participate in for years, and the prize was a wreath made of olive branches. Cash prizes began being given out in 1986 by corporate sponsors. It is the most widely viewed sporting event in New England, with 500,000 people viewing it each year, and cheering runners from the sides of the course. The Boston Red Sox play each year on the day, and after the game, many from the crowd go to the area at the end of the course and cheer on runners. This has been a tradition since 1903.
The marathon has almost always been held on Patriots’ Day, which is a holiday in some states that commemorates the start of the Revolutionary War. Up until 1969, Patriots’ Day was held on April 19, and this is when the marathon was held unless April 19 was on a Sunday, then the race was held on April 20. Beginning in 1969, both Patriots’ Day and the Boston Marathon have been held on the third Monday of April. These two days have been tied together to represent both the Athenian and American fight for liberty.
Roberta Gibb was the first woman to run the marathon in full, completing it in 1966 and running it the next two years as well. She hid in the bushes until the race began and did not have an official race number. In 1967, Kathrine Switzer ran, and was given a bib and number, but hadn’t identified herself as female on her application. B.A.A. officials tried to physically remove her from the race. In 1972, the Amateur Athletics Union (A.A.U.), of which Boston was a part of, began allowing women. Eight women ran the Boston Marathon that year and all finished the race. The women that ran the marathon from 1966 to 1971 were recognized retroactively. Today close to half of runners in the race are women.
The Boston Marathon became the first major marathon to have a wheelchair division. In 1975, Bob Hall was told by race director Will Cloney that he would be recognized with a finisher’s certificate if he could finish his race in under 3 hours. He finished in 2 hours and 58 minutes, opening the door for more wheelchair participants in the future. There also is a blind and visually impaired division, as well as a mobility impaired program.
Tragedy struck in 2013 when two bombs exploded about 225 yards from the finish line. Three spectators died and about 264 were injured. The race was stopped and many did not get to finish, although the bombs went off almost three hours after the winner had finished. In a display of resilience, almost 9,000 more runners participated in the race the following year.
In 2020 opioid deaths among Illinois residents increased 32.7% from 2,219 deaths in 2019 to 2,944 deaths in 2020. Southern Seven Health Department (S7HD) has partnered with Illinois Department of Public Health to be a part of the effort in reducing opioid deaths in Illinois.
S7HD would like to do a FREE NARCAN Training with your group.
They’ll come to your:
• Safety training meeting
• Staff training meeting
• Bible Study Class
• Book-Club meeting
• Red Hat meeting
• Neighborhood Watch Meeting
• Lions Club Meeting
• Rotary Club Meeting
• Chamber of Commerce Meeting
• Etc…
All they need is 20-30 minutes of your time and a way to show a short video. They’ll go over the information with you and how to administer the nasal NARCAN, and at the end of the meeting a NARCAN Kit will be in the hand of everyone in attendance.
If interested in scheduling a FREE NARCAN Training, contact Bobi Cavins, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator of S7HD at 618-634-2297 X9123 or bcavins@s7hd.org .
Upcoming Fundraisers and Events
The Massac County Drug Awareness Coalition Meeting – WEDNESDAY, APRIL – 20 – 8AM
Project Hope Humane Society has scheduled their Spring Vaccine and Microchip Clinic. It will be Saturday, April 23rd from Noon until 4 pm. No appointment is necessary. Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in a carrier. If you need additional information, message their Facebook page or call the shelter at: 618.638.4555.
NEW: On Saturday, April 23rd, from 7A until 2P the Dongola Community Yard Sale will take place.
On Monday, April 25th at 6:30 – The Massac County High School will have their band/choir spring concert.
MAY
On May 7, from 7A until 12P the Massac County Home and Community Education will be having a Benefit Sale. The Benefit Sale will take place at the Massac County Community Center on Korte Rd. This will be a great time to select Mother’s Day gifts, special bargains, crafts, and garden plants. All proceeds will go to HCE to help with programs they offer in the community.
JUNE
NEW: The 2022 Vienna City-Wide Yard Sale will take place on Friday and Saturday, June 3rd and 4th.
On Saturday, June 11th at 8AM the Superman Bicycle Ride will take place at Washington Park. 10, 40, and 60 mile rides with rest stops and “sag wagon” support. The Superman Bicycle Ride is a tour through historic Massac County in southern Illinois. Come explore the countryside surrounding the Home of Superman — Metropolis, IL, located on the banks of the Ohio River, along I-24, halfway between St. Louis, MO, and Nashville, TN. Parts of the routes follow the old Ohio River bed before the channel changed its course hundreds of years ago. Enjoy the country charm as you pass by this majestic farmland.
NEW: Metropolis Art Classes Summer Camp 2022 – Monday, June 13th: Stuffed Pet Camp (morning or afternoon session) – Bring your favorite small (think beanie baby size) stuffed animal to camp! We will be making a home and accessories for your little buddy.
Monday, June 20th: Robot Camp (morning or afternoon session)
Monday, June 27th: Landscapes on Canvas (morning or afternoon session)
-Suggested age: 1st grade and up, $15 per student covers all supplies, Message on Facebook or email kortneykennedy@gmail.com to reserve a spot, Minimum class size of 4, maximum of 9
More Upcoming Fundraisers and Events
Local Job Listings
Dollar General – several open Sales Associates positions – Apply online at retail-dollargeneral.icims.com/jobs
Pizza Hut – Cooks, Delivery Drivers, Cashiers – Apply online at jobs.pizzahut.com
SIU Credit Union – Tellers (PT) – Apply online at siucu.org
Local Arrest Reports
This Morning’s WMOK News Check
Get it on your radio at 920AM/93.7FM and streaming worldwide at 920wmok.com
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