About a dozen teams “cleaned up” for the United Way

A stormy morning didn’t stop teams from “Sweeping the Valley Clean.”  The United Way Day of Action was Monday.  Locally, about a dozen teams went out and cleaned parks and road sides while collecting aluminum cans to be recycled.

Jan Martin with the Illinois Valley United Ways says it went well for the first year.  Ladd had groups that cleaned Main Street and the city park.  Someone went around collecting cans in Dalzell.

Martin says they made about $150 after turning in the cans.

Fire Destroys Lake Thunderbird House

A home in Lake Thunderbird is said to be a complete loss after a fire.

Fire departments from Henry and Tiskilwa were called out to Barbados Drive around five o’clock this morning about a home fully engulfed.  According to initial reports, someone nearby the home reported hearing a boom.

More details as they become available.

Alderman Almost Gets Kicked Out Of Meeting

A 32 hundred dollar paint job led to a heated argument at last night’s Spring Valley City Council meeting that included an alderman being escorted out by police.

Mayor Cliff Banks and Alderman Chuck Hansen got into an argument about a bill to C & M Painters for work done in the city hall community room.  Hansen questioned Banks of not bidding out the job and bypassing union painters.  Banks said “this is about the fifth time you’ve brought in unions with me” with Hansen firing back “and it won’t be the last”.

Banks eventually appointed Alderman Mike Richetta as chairman of streets and alleys committee, replacing Hansen.  Banks reasoned the move by saying “I have to have people I can work with”.  After Hansen accused Banks of trying to help a friend get a job, the mayor had Hansen escorted out of the council chambers, saying “Chuck, take your union ass and get out of here”.

Cooler heads eventually prevailed and Hansen remained at the meeting.

Heavy Rain Causing Flooding Issues

A Flood Warning for the Illinois River at La Salle continues.  The latest river stage is 21.5 feet, a foot and a half above flood stage.  The Illinois at La Salle is expected to rise another two feet before falling Friday morning.

A Flood Advisory is in effect for the Illinois River at Ottawa.  The latest water stage there is 461 feet, two feet below flood stage.  The Illinois at Ottawa is forecast to rise just before flood stage tomorrow afternoon before receding.