Today is Monday, May 2, 2022
Today is National Brothers and Sisters Day!
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Early Morning Structure Fire on Ferry Street in Metropolis Draws Multiple Responders
Around 4:30 on Monday morning the Metropolis Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 1800 block of Ferry Street. Metropolis Fire Chief Micah Tolbert told WMOK that the initial call came in for 1802 Ferry Street, an unoccupied structure.
Upon arrival Chief Tolbert and his crew found that 1802 was fully engulfed and there were two further exposures to homes that neighbored on each side of the burning structure. Massac County Fire Protection district was called in for manpower at the scene and Brookport Fire Department was called for coverage at the Metropolis Fire Station during the incident in case of a secondary fire call.
Tolbert advised WMOK that no one was inside of the unoccupied structure during the fire and that the neighbors were physically unharmed. Tolbert planned to speak with the residents involved today and assist them in acquiring needed assistance from the Red Cross.
Chief Tolbert advised that a Metropolis Officer and a Metropolis Firefighter were injured during the event as they were establishing the water supply. WMOK spoke with Chief Tolbert around noon on Monday and confirmed that the individuals received no broken bones and one of the responders was undergoing vascular tests as an added precaution.
WMOK Facebook live from 1802 Ferry
Monday Morning Robbery at Motel 6 Results in the Arrest of Two
Just before 8am on Monday local Law Enforcement Dispatch received a call of a robbery at the Motel 6 in Metropolis. The clerk advised officers that two subjects came over the counter and took money before leaving in a black vehicle heading toward Metropolis.
Officers from both Metropolis Police Department and Massac County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area in pursuit of the vehicle. The chase ended when the vehicle left the roadway in the Fort Massac State Park curve on highway 45/5th street and proceeded down the embankment into the park.
Two subjects were taken into custody at the scene – one with out of state warrants.
Today we have a 40% chance of showers, mainly after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 79°.
Tonight – A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am and a low around 54° and with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Tuesday – Showers and possibly a thunderstorm and a high near 78°, winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday Night – A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, with a low around 54°.
The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook statement for our area. There is a marginal to slight risk of severe storms across southeast Missouri and adjacent parts of southwest Illinois and far western Kentucky. Damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes are the severe weather hazards.
Tuesday through Sunday There is also a marginal to slight risk of severe storms Tuesday afternoon and evening. Damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes are the severe weather hazards.
Another round of thunderstorms is expected Wednesday night into Thursday night. A few strong or severe storms are possible.
Today is National Brothers and Sisters Day! Brothers and Sisters Day celebrates and honors the special bond between siblings. The bond often lasts a lifetime, and brothers and sisters may know each other longer than they know anyone else throughout their lives. These relationships may be some of the closest that they have as well. Today’s holiday strengthens the relationship between siblings, which in turn strengthens our families, communities, and the nation.
Today is National Play Your Ukulele Day! Today is National Play Your Ukulele Day! Similar in shape to the guitar, and also having strings, the ukulele is often simply called a uke. Some are shaped similarly to pineapples, and fittingly called pineapple ukuleles. Ukulele means “jumping flea” in Hawaiian and was so named because it appeared as if fingers were jumping on the fretboard when the instrument was being played.
There are four main sizes of ukuleles, the soprano being the standard size. The other most popular sizes are the concert, tenor, and baritone. There also is the very small sopranino, and the large-sized bass and contrabass. Ukuleles usually have four strings—the G, C, E, and A—but sometimes strings are paired so there are eight on the instrument. In Hawaii, they have traditionally been made with koa wood, and higher quality ukes are often made with mahogany. Cheaper ones are made of wood such as spruce or plywood, or with plastics. Some ukuleles have been made out of cigar boxes.
The ukulele was developed from a few instruments, including the braguinha, cavaquinho, rajão, and machete, that were brought to Hawaii by immigrants from the Portuguese islands of Madeira. The first ukulele was made in 1879, and three cabinet makers were responsible for creating many of them early on: Augusto Dias, Jose do Espirito Santo, and Manuel Nunes. Hawaiian King Kalakaua integrated them into royal gatherings, and they became widely popular on the island about a decade after their creation.
Interest in ukuleles in the mainland United States was sparked at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915, and the instrument came to prominence in the United States during the Jazz Age and the Great Depression, hitting its peak in popularity in the mid-twentieth century. Popular post-World War II era Hawaiian-influenced songs featuring the ukulele include “Christmas Island” by the Andrews Sisters, with Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, and “Mele Kalikimaka” by Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters. Elvis Presley released Blue Hawaii in 1961, as a soundtrack to the film of the same name. In 1968, Tiny Tim’s version of “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” went to #17 on the Billboard charts. Even the Beatles used the ukulele in some of their songs, such as at the end of “Free as a Bird,” and George Harrison was an avid collector of the instrument. By the end of the 1960s, the ukulele’s moment in popular music had passed, and it was mainly being used as a children’s toy. Although, some others of note continued to use it, such as Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon.
But, there was a resurgence of the instrument’s use in popular music during the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” gained wide acclaim. Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” became the best selling ukulele-centered song ever, spending 76 weeks on the Billboard top 100. Jake Shimabukuro has also helped to restore popularity in the instrument with his virtuosic playing. While not everyone has the same talent as him, today is still the perfect day to play the ukulele!
Upcoming Fundraisers and Events
MAY
New; On May 7, the Metropolis American Legion Post will be hosting a meal for all vets and their families between 4PM and 7PM. All veterans are invited to bring their families for burgers, hot dogs, bar
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.
Free Advice from an Attorney: Lawyer In The Library, Metropolis Public Library
Each day patrons across Illinois represent themselves in court. Many turn to their local public library to print forms, find legal information, and ask for help navigating legal self-help websites.
Beginning in May, 2022 patrons who wish to represent themselves in court, or have a legal matter to discuss, will have the opportunity for a private, 20-minute, face-to-face consultation with Attorney Julian Valdes through the Lawyer in the Library program offered at the Metropolis Public Library, 317 Metropolis Street in Metropolis, IL.
There is no fee for the Lawyer in the Library and pre-registration is required. Please pre-register with the library in person or online. Please bring any paperwork pertaining to your legal matter, if applicable. The only requirement for participation is the patron must reside in one of the nine counties of the Illinois First Judicial Circuit which includes Alexander, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, and Williamson Counties.
The Lawyer in the Library program will be held 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm on the following Mondays: May 9, May 23, June 6, June 20, July 11, and July 25.
For more information about this program you may call Director Rosemary Baxter at the Metropolis Public Library at 618-524-4312 or Brenda Sprague at the Office of the Chief Judge at 618-997-1234.
Thank you to the following individuals: First Judicial Circuit Chief Judge William J. Thurston and Massac County Presiding Judge Cord Wittig for their support of this program; Attorney Julian Valdes with Reed, Heller & Cannell Attorneys at Law for his service to the community; to the Metropolis Public Library Director Rosemary Baxter for her dedication to the program, helping patrons with legal information, and overseeing this program locally; and the Metropolis Public Library staff members for their help in making this program run smoothly and successfully.
Funding for this program was made possible through a grant from the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts Access to Justice Division. The Self-Represented Litigant Grant Coordinator is Brenda Sprague, Office of the Chief Judge, First Judicial Circuit.
JUNE
The 2022 Vienna City-Wide Yard Sale will take place on Friday and Saturday, June 3rd and 4th.
On Friday, June 10th beginning at 5AM – The Super Museum Presents Hidden Gems SUPER mini Con Everyone is invited to come out to the Hidden Gems Super Mini Con and meet actors Jeff East, Jack O’Halloran, and Douglas B Myers. The Hidden Gems Super Mini Con coincides with the 44th Annual Superman Celebration. there will be vendors food and all sorts of festivities. Tour the world famous Super Museum and shop Hidden Gems Novelty and Collectibles.
On Saturday, June 11th at 8AM the Kiwanis Club of Metropolis 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.
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
Local Arrest Reports
Massac County School and Sports News
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