Construction Season Begins

Is this another sign of warmer weather?  Time for construction on Interstate 80.

Weather permitting, I-DOT plans to start roadwork on 80 between the Spring Valley exit and the turnoff to Plank Road.  Crews are going to remove four bridges and resurface the stretch of 80.  The work’s expected to last into the fall.

By the end of next week, both directions of traffic between Spring Valley and Peru will use the westbound lanes via crossovers separated by a concrete barrier.

Leland Teen Needs Votes For Grant

A local teen needs your help in getting his hometown a new baseball field.

Leland High School student Darren Riskedal is a finalist for a 50 thousand dollar community service grant thru Pepsi.  As of today, Darren is in third place to receive the grant.  The last day to vote is tomorrow.

Riskedal says he wants the new field because he’s used it his whole life.  He’s also using the new field as an Eagle Scout project.

To vote for Riskedal’s project, go to www.refresheverything.com.  Click on the link to 50 thousand dollar grants for his project.  Again, voting ends tomorrow.

TV Weatherman Coming To Ottawa

A face you’ve probably seen on television plenty of times has been added to the guest list for today’s “Stormapalooza” in Ottawa.

Fox Chicago morning meteorologist Mark Strehl will speak with kids about weather today at the 2^nd annual event from 1:30 until 3:30.  Ottawa Cub Scout Morgan Johnson created “Stormapalooza” for an Eagle Scout project.

Also scheduled to appear today at Reddick Library is National Weather Service Meteorologist Jim Allsopp.  He’ll give a presentation that’ll include facts, myths, and preparedness information about severe weather.  He’ll also talk about career opportunities in meteorology.