Apparent Tornadoes Hit Southern Illinois

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) – Injuries are being reported in southern Illinois in the wake of thunderstorms that packed 100-mph winds that moved across the area today.

Health officials say a truck driver who had to be extricated from an overturned semitrailer was in serious condition at a local hospital.

Rosslynd Rice of Southern Illinois Healthcare says about six other patients with minor injuries were being treated at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Carbondale Township Fire Captain Mark Black says trees are down and siding from homes is strewn everywhere. He says his firefighters are cutting trees out of the roadway so they can get their trucks out.

More than 33,000 Ameren customers are without power, mostly around Carbondale, Marion, Herrin.

Conditions Same With Fatal Crash Near Rutland

Three teens and an eight-year old girl remain in the hospital after an accident last night near Rutland.

16 year old Jaclyn Park of Minonk, a student at Fieldcrest High School, was pronounced dead at St. James Hospital in Pontiac after the accident yesterday evening.

Police say it happened at a rural intersection in southern La Salle County. They believe 17 year old Brianna Palmore of Minonk didn’t stopped at the intersection and crashed with Park’s car.

15 year old Danielle Meirhofer of Minonk is in critical condition and 15 year old Makenzie Gensler of Toluca is in serious condition at St. Francis Medical Center. Both were riding with Park.

Palmore was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Streator. Two children with her were also transferred to Peoria. 14 year old Grant Palmore is in fair condition while eight year old Grace Palmore is in serious condition.

Palmore was ticketed for not yielding at a stop intersection. The crash remains under investigation.

National Day of Prayer service planned for Peru

Bringing the nation back to God- that’s one of the things organizers are hoping to gain with a National Day of Prayer service in Peru.

Judy Pinter says Saturday will be the first time they’ve held a service of this sort in Peru. It’s part of a larger, non-denominational effort.

Pinter says the program Saturday morning at Centennial Park will include an opening prayer, music, and worship. It’s not being lead by any one congregation.

It goes from 10am to noon. You’ll need to bring your own seating.

Spring Valley special meeting doesn’t happen

The controversy over appointing a new police chief in Spring Valley continues after an attempt at a special meeting fell apart. The alderman Thursday night were supposed to vote on whether Kevin Sangston should be appointed the chief of police but the meeting never made it past roll call.

Last week new mayor Cliff Banks appointed Kevin Sangston as police chief, replacing Mike Miroux. The council voted against the move. Miroux has since filed two lawsuits against Banks. Last night’s meeting was intended to deal with one of the lawsuits.

But Miroux’s attorney threatened to file another suit if the meeting took place.

Questions were raised as to whether 48 hours notice was given in advance of the meeting. Banks and City Attorney Tom Tonozzi say yes it was.

The topic won’t be going away. The council could take it up during next Monday’s regular meeting.

Thanks to the Newstribune for information in this story.