Special Olympics Winter Games canceled because of cold temps

          Frigid temperatures mean it’s too cold for the Special Olympics Winter Games.  The event scheduled for tomorrow at the Bureau County Fair Grounds was called off this morning because of the extreme cold.

          Cheryl Depaepe is with the local Special Olympics district.  She says over 200 athletes would have competed, but they have weather guidelines they must follow.

          It’s not being rescheduled.

Winter Storm Warning Cancelled

A Winter Weather Advisory has replaced a Winter Storm Warning for the listening area.

The advisory is in effect until 9 this morning.  The main weather issue is blowing and drifting snow.

IDOT reports spots of blowing snow and patchy ice on Interstates 80 and 39.

TV Companies Make Nice

An ugly negotiations battle between Mediacom and Sinclair Broadcasting has ended with the sides coming to an agreement yesterday.

As the dispute went on, three local channels in Illinois were in danger of going dark including WYZZ, a fox affiliate in Peoria.  WYZZ is channel 14 on local cable in the Ottawa-Streator area.  That station along with ABC stations in Champaign or Springfield could’ve been shut out from Mediacom subscribers if a new contract wasn’t reached.

As part of the agreement, Mediacom agreed to drop its complaint that Sinclair hadn’t been negotiating in good faith.

Man Arrested For Selling Painkillers

An Oglesby man faces charges of selling illegal painkillers.

Jeries Ziadat is accused of selling Methadone pills to an undercover informant Wednesday in Ottawa.  TRIDENT officials set up the sting after finding out the he allegedly was selling Methadone in Ottawa.  He reportedly tried to sell 61 pills to the informant.

Ziadat was taken to the county jail on a charge of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

Red Cross Reaches Out To Ice Victims

People displaced by ice jamming along the Fox River have the American Red Cross to turn to.

The Red Cross opened a shelter Thursday afternoon for victims at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa.  Volunteers have set up cots, beds, food and drink supplies.

The Fox at Dayton is a little over 24 feet today.  Flood stage is just 12 feet.