In Today’s WMOK News Check

40% Showers and Thunderstorms – Severe Thunderstorm Watch Until 4pm
An accident at Waldo Church Road and Pell Road on Sunday Evening Results in Fatality
Man Charged with Criminal Trespass to Residence and other charges following being found in a home in the 1000 Block of Broadway
Free Kids Meals at Sully’s on Tuesdays
12-7P Wednesday – FREE Pool Day & Snacks at Metropolis City Pool
Massac Mobile Health – Every Tuesday – Vienna City Park 9am-3:30pm – 618-638-1341
The Kiwanis Club of Metropolis meets every Tuesday at noon at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 520 Ferry Street in Metropolis
Westbound entry and exit ramp closure continues at I-24 and Exit 3 in Paducah
The Massac County Youth Fair Continues Through Sunday
Metropolis Public Library Open Noon to 7pm on Thursdays
Subscribe to the “Yellow Sheet”

Subscribe Via Text – Text Yellow Sheet to 618-524-9209

A word from the WMOK News Room:

(WMOK) Metropolis, IL – On this morning’s Coffee Break we aired our interview with 103 year old Polly Ragland on Metropolis. We did abbreviate the interview for length and will have it posted to our website in its’ entirety this week. You’ll see more below in today’s Yellow Sheet from our interview with Polly.

We find ourselves under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch Until 4pm. Make sure that you stay aware of changing weather conditions and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts. When WMOK spoke with Beau Dodson Weather in May – he said that he felt our drought conditions would begin to shift in July. Hear this portion of our conversation from our Coffee Break with Beau below – touch “listen in browser” on the Soundcloud player:

WMOK – Metropolis · Beau Dodson Weather MCS And Summer Weather May 2023

If you’re in search of something to do out and about in Massac County be sure to see the WMOK Community Events listing ((this week’s events are shown below in the Yellow Sheet)).

The Massac County Youth Fair is underway. It’s a great opportunity to get out for one of their delicious pork burgers at the picnic pavillion. The Farm Follies take place this evening – this is an “Ag Olympics” of sorts that takes place among the youth. See more below in the Yellow Sheet about the happenings at the Massac County Youth Fair.

This week on Coffee Break – Following the 8am WMOK News Check:

On Wednesday Metropolis Animal Control and Abatement Officer John Roman will join us for Coffee Break

On Thursday Metropolis Mayor Don Canada

Next week: Massac County Commissioners and Metropolis Police Chief Harry Masse

Keep in mind you can always text us questions for our Coffee Break guests. Text 618-524-9209 and include your question and to which guest it’s being directed.

We also invite you to use the text line to suggest coffee break guests that you would like for us to include on the program.

You can listen to Coffee Breaks you may have missed in our Coffee Break Archive

Massac County Youth Fair Continues Through the Weekend

(WMOK) Metropolis, IL – Tammie Wiseman Obermark joined us at WMOK last week to give us to the details surrounding the Massac County Youth Fair which began on Friday at the Massac County Fairgrounds. The Massac County Fairgrounds are located on Korte Road in Massac County – between Massac High School and North Avenue.

Sew It, Grow It Show It

Please contact the fair office or the fair secretary at 618-638-4897 if you have any further questions.

On Tuesday entries for the building will be taken in. Obermark encourages kids to enter their school projects, garden items and more for a chance to win cash. You can hear much more in the audio clip with Obermark below about what type of items youth might want to submit.

The Farm Follies take place on Tuesday night – usually over 100 kids participate. The Farm Follies is an “Ag Olympics” and all children are invited to come out and participate with a chance to win cash.

Shawnee Community College will also be on hand with Missouri Watermelon to share on Tuesday night.

The Food Auction will take place on Wednesday night ((please note that “Tuesday” in the Fair Book is a misprint)) following the Celebrity Showmanship Competition.

Many 4H Livestock events are taking place on Wednesday and the exhibit hall will be closed until Thursday.

Hear our conversation with Tammie Obermark below – Touch “listen in browser” on the Soundcloud player:

WMOK – Metropolis · Massac County Youth Fair 7.17 Thru7.19

Two Vehicle Accident at Waldo Church Road and Pell Road in Massac County on Sunday Evening Results in Fatality

(WMOK) Metropolis, IL – Illinois State Police Troop 10 has advised that at 6:45 on Sunday evening they were requested to a two vehicle crash at Waldo Church Road and Pell Road in Massac County.

The preliminary investigation reveals that a 2002 silver Suzuki motorcycle operated by David E Yocum, age 20 of Metropolis was driving north on Pell Road approaching Waldo Church Road at which time a 2009 blue Jeep Wrangler operated by a 16 year old juvenile of Paducah was on Waldo Church Road westbound, stopped at the intersection.

The Jeep Wrangler proceeded to turn left on Pell Road south, when it was struck by the motorcycle.

The operator of the motorcycle, 20-year-old David E. Yocum of Metropolis, IL was declared deceased on scene.

The juvenile driver of the Jeep Wrangler was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.

An Afternoon with Polly Ragland – age 103 of Metropolis

WMOK had the opportunity recently to speak with Holly Ragland – age 103 of metropolis. Polly was born at 13th and Catherine streets in Metropolis in 1920.

Poly recalls beginning School at Clark and by the first part of the second grade they moved to 110 East 7th at which time she began attending Central school. She recalls the second grade teacher by the name of Linda love and remarked that she still has her grade school report cards.

Her dad was a railroad tie carrier and she remembers the train depot well during that time.

The recollections of the ice cream man were what first drew our attention to Polly. A handful of years ago during the WMOK Morning Show we received a call after we had just spoken about ice cream trucks from a listener who recalled the ice cream wagon. It was Polly. It was a wagon indeed and horse drawn – the driver ring a bell. Polly thinks that they paid a nickel for an ice cream cone.

As a child she recalls playing in the yard with her niece Bonnie who was close to her in age. Polly said that the man next door was a fisherman and they would often watch him clean the fish.

One especially interesting memories that Polly recalled – on occasion her mother would send she and her niece to the grocery store – their route to the grocery store carried them by a tree in which an Indian was carved in the trunk. Polly recalls being frightened of it and running by the house anytime they passed.

We went on to speak with Polly about her high school years her career and her adult life.

Our interview which will be uploaded later this week includes recollections of:

The City swimming pool being built when she was a child
The Eli theater on 3rd Street
The Illinois theater between 3rd and 4th Street
Prom taking place at the Egyptian dance hall
A place called The Lucky stop on ferry Street at which the kids hung out

We look forward to bringing you more from our visit with Polly this week.

Westbound Exit & Entry Ramp Closures Underway at I-24/KY 305 Paducah Exit 3

The target completion date for all pavement work at Exit 3 is July 31, 2023.

Get the WMOK Yellow Sheet Via Text –
Text Yellow Sheet to 618-524-9209

Get the WMOK Yellow Sheet Via Email –
Email WMOKnews@frontier.com – subject line –> Yellow Sheet

WMOK Community Events Listing

We would love to include your event in the WMOK Community Event listing

Beau Dodson Weather - Keeping you and your family safe from the storm - WMOK Metropolis

Beau Dodson Weather – Keeping you and your family safe from the storm – Learn More and Subscribe –> weathertalk.com/welcome

How to Submit Your Event:

Via email to WMOKnews@frontier.com with the words “upcoming event” in the subject line

Via Facebook Messenger on the WMOK Facebook page

Via Text – 618-524-9209

Via Walk-In – Lobby Hours 8am to 10:30

Via Mail – 339 Fairgrounds Road, Metropolis IL 62960

Tuesday. July 18

Massac Mobile Health – Every Tuesday – Vienna City Park 9am-3:30pm – 618-638-1341

Sully’s Billiards is providing FREE KIDS MEALS every Tuesday. You will need to call 618-524-2991 between 9:30a.m – 10:30a.m. Pickup time will be 11:00a.m.- 11:15a.m.

The Kiwanis Club of Metropolis meets every Tuesday at noon at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 520 Ferry Street in Metropolis

6:30 PM – Farm Follies – Massac County Youth Fair – Come join the Massac County Young Leaders for a night of fun! The Massac County Young Leaders Committee will be hosting the annual Farm Follies. Bring a partner to compete in different obstacle courses. Prizes will be awarded to winners. Ages 21 and under is welcome! Registration will be from 5 to 6:30PM.

*Remember to pick up vouchers from Sully’s Billboards Bar and Grill for the FREE Pool Day & Snacks at the Metropolis City Pool on Wednesday July 19 from 12-7P– for ages 15 and under *

Wednesday, July 19

Massac Mobile Health – Every Wednesday – Brookport- by City Hall 9am-3:30pm – 618-638-1341

9a – 3p – COPE Food Pantry takes place in Metropolis today and every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1013 North Avenue – please bring your photo ID and proof of Massac County residency.

9-11A – Plant a Row, Watch COPE Grow – Food Donation Garden Stewardship Days First and Third Wednesdays – Volunteers Needed

9A-12P & 1-3P – Wellness On Wheels Health Screening Clinics will be at Hope Unlimited Family Care Center in Metropolis

12-7P – FREE Pool Day & Snacks – Metropolis City Pool – Ages 15 and under – Just stop into Sully’s to pick up your voucher for the free snacks! Vouchers can be picked up during normal business hours on Monday, July 17 and Tuesday, July 18. Sully’s Billboards Bar and Grill is located at 318 Scott Street.

5-7P – Trinity Tree of Life Food Pantry 605 Metropolis St (Every Wednesday)

6P – AJMPU 4-H Summer Celebration at the Massac Youth Fair – Join in for the first of this 3-part 4-H Summer Celebration Series! All AJMPU 4-H members and families are invited to attend this unit-wide event at the Massac Youth Fairgrounds. The 4-H summer celebrations encourage unit-wide participation and the support of all three of their county fair boards and organizations that work with their 4-H youth!

7 P – Celebrity Showmanship – Massac County Youth Fair – Come and join in at the fair for the first annual Celebrity Showmanship! Some of your favorite people from local businesses will be participating in a Master Showmanship competition. The contestants will show a cow, sheep, and pig. Each contestant has also never had any experience with livestock.

Thursday, July 20

The Rotary Club of Metropolis meets every Thursdays at 12P in Community Christian Church, 1150 Country Club Rd.

We’re gearing up for Massac County Sports at WMOK! We plan to be out in Metropolis next week with opportunities for businesses to sponsor Massac County Sports on WMOK – if you want to learn more about sponsoring Massac County Sports on WMOK – text sports to 618-524-9209

In perusing the Twitter feeds we see that support is needed for a young man by the name of Kaleb Jenkins and family to assist in his fight against Cancer. A basketball skills development camp will be held at Massac High on Thursday July 20th from 1-3p. Payment for the camp will be your donation and all proceeds will go to Kaleb and his family. The camp will be taught by MCHS Boys Basketball Players and Coaches and is for all children – grades 3rd thru 8th.

6P – JHS Bowling – Interested in bowling? There is a bowling meeting set up The meeting will take place in the JHS Gym.

Friday, July 21

9a – 3p – COPE Food Pantry takes place in Metropolis today and every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1013 North Avenue – please bring your photo ID and proof of Massac County residency.

Saturday, July 22

7A-12P – Massac County Farmer’s Market – Dorothy Miller Park

7:30A – Macedonia Baptist Church Annual Bar-B-Que – 338 Macedonia Rd, Golconda (old location of Church)

Sunday, July 23

After morning worship – Brookport Church Of God Barbecue Fundraiser – 4th and George Streets – Holley’s BBQ, homemade potato salad, baked beans, a cookie, and a drink all for $10.00! Tickets are now available community-wide. All proceeds go to the building fund.

5P – Eastland Life Church 3D Life Recovery Meetings are held at 716 East 3rd St. Meal and child care provided.

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A Little Something Extra from the WMOK Morning Show

In follow up to our discussion on the morning show about our teenage years and weekend night activities:

We’re receiving some of your memories of your teenage years .. and we want more!

We’re getting recollections in our texts and emails of cruising – we have the Sani-Serve group, the Crown Burger Group and the Family Dollar Group.

Prior to the somewhat recent times of “cruising – we have heard some of our “Golden Listeners” (age 80+) mention a place called Lucky Stop (late 1930s). Another listener referred to it as Trojan’s Paradise (late 1940s). We believe it was located on lower Ferry Street.

We’re asking listeners: What did you do on Friday and Saturday nights in High School?

We really want the feedback of you folks on this topic!

Text us at 618-524-9209 (((you can even reply to your “Yellow Sheet text” and tell us what your weekend nights were like in your high school days. Please include your graduation year. We’ll be chatting about this all week in the WMOK Morning Show – come get in on the fun! 6 to 10am

We’re also curious about what the teens of 2023 do on the weekends – we would love to have feedback from you “teen parents”

For you “readers of a certain age” – we especially want to hear from YOU! Write down your recollections and mail them to 339 Fairgrounds Road, Metropolis IL 62960

Steer Clear: When You Should (and Shouldn’t) Use Your Car’s Hazard Lights

Some drivers can spend years on the road and never have to engage their vehicle’s hazard lights—a blinking signal activated by the big red triangle on the dashboard that alerts other motorists of potential danger.

Because hazard lights are not as commonly used as windshield wipers or popping the trunk, some drivers can be confused about when it’s appropriate to light them up. The answer to that can actually vary from state to state, and drivers can also have strong opinions about putting them into practice. Consider this a general guide, but if you’re uncertain, make sure to consult your state’s traffic laws.

The Hidden History of the Hollywood Sign

Now 100 years old, the iconic billboard started out as an advertisement for an upscale housing development

Since its installation on a hill overlooking Los Angeles in 1923, the Hollywood sign has served as a billboard for a real estate development, a backdrop for countless films and television shows, and a decaying reminder of silver screen excess. Made up of white block letters spelling out “Hollywood” (originally “Hollywoodland”), the sign represents a California neighborhood but isn’t actually located there. Instead, it sits on nearby Mount Lee in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Recently refurbished to mark its 100th anniversary, the sign has a far more checkered history than its clean, newly repainted letters might suggest. It was never meant to be a tourist destination. Instead, it started out as an advertisement for an upscale housing development called Hollywoodland. In 1932, it was the site of a suicide; in the 1960s, it fell into disrepair, becoming “a glaring badge of dishonor—rusted, dilapidated, soon to literally crumble under its own weight,” according to the nonprofit Hollywood Sign Trust.

Touch here to read the full article from Smithsonian Magazine

The Last Time Actors and Writers Both Went on Strike: How Hollywood Ended the 1960 Crisis

As in 2023, a key issue for both the Screen Actors Guild and Writers Guild then was residuals — artists wanted a bigger cut of the feature films that had been sold to TV along with health benefits and better working conditions.

In 1960, the crumbling infrastructure of the Hollywood studio system was shaken by a one-two strike launched by two essential branches of its workforce — the writers and the actors. Since neither job description was yet considered on the cusp of obsolescence, management was forced to negotiate with labor and reach an accommodation. Both sides had incentives to real a deal that shared the wealth and kept the shop floor running. In the end — and this might be the sad difference between 1960 and 2023 — they saw each other as collaborators rather than mortal enemies.

Read the full article from the Hollywood Reporter here