MURPHYSBORO, IL (KFVS) - According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the national apple crop forecast jumped two percent over 2010 production levels, despite eastern and western states losing production because a cold, wet, spring.

The USDA report shows production in the central part of the nation, including Illinois, saw a sharp increase in overall numbers. It was up 49 percent from 2010 levels at 1.27 billion pounds of apples.

Lisa Mileur, owner of Mileur Orchard located just west of Murphysboro on Highway 149 said Southern Illinois has the perfect microenvironment for producing the best apples in the country.

CARBONDALE, IL (KFVS) - Police were called to the 500 block of South Illinois Avenue Friday  to a report of a burglary in progress.

Officers say the suspect went into a business, stole property and fled the area on foot. Officers then found and arrested William S. Welling.

According to Carbondale Police, Welling was charged with burglary, possession of a controlled substance and bringing contraband into a penal Institution.

 Welling was taken to the Jackson County Jail. The investigation into the incident is continuing.

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A buzz is in the air in Carbondale, as freshman at Southern Illinois University begin their college careers. Since Southern Illinois University Chancellor Rita Cheng took office once of her focuses has been to increase enrollment.

Cheng says so far, it appears the freshman class is up by nearly 140 students. She says that's an increase the university has not seen in some time. It's a boost not only to the campus but the entire region.

SIU Freshman Nickirah Willis-Lee is from Chicago and getting ready to move into her new home for the school year. "I am very excited to meet new people," Willis Lee said.   

Before Willis-Lee meets those new friends, her first college task is to get all her things into her dorm room. Willis-Lee has her mom Carol Lee along to help.

"It's exciting," Lee said.  "That's my baby, my last."