Snow Emergency Declared

Streator Mayor Jimmie Lansford has issued a snow emergency for his town.

That means through Thursday, there’s no parking on Route 18 or Main Street and on Route 23.  Cars parked on these streets will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Lansford says anyone wishing to volunteer their help and use of a 4-wheel drive vehicle, snowmobile or ATV may call Streator Police.  If you get into an accident the next couple days, don’t call the police, instead exchange insurance information and come to the police station to file a report after the storm passes by.

A warming center is open at the Salvation Army building.

People Stocking Up For The Storm

Business is brisk at your local grocery store.

Doug Overlee is Store Director for Hy-Vee in Peru.  He says things like bread, bottled water, cereal, lunch meat and salt is flying off the shelves.  Many of these items Overlee ordered a week out but he still thinks they’ll run out before the night is over.  Hy-Vee gets fresh bread and meat each morning.

As for the workers, Overlee says they have added extra staff today.  He’s trying to have workers who live closest to the store on staff.

Rash Of Afternoon Crashes

The snow hasn’t even arrived yet emergency responders have busy this afternoon.

It all started just after noon with a semi rolling over on eastbound Interstate 80.  That crash happened at milepost 65, just west of Ladd.

Within an hour after that, emergency crews were responding to a car flipped over west of Wenona on Route 17, a pickup with four possible injuries hitting a tree near Tiskilwa, and a crash with one injury at Route 71 in Cedar Point near Zellmer Truck Lines.

Pot Bust Near Peru

Two out of state men are the latest to be arrested for drugs on Interstate 80 in the area.

A trooper stopped Stephen Burgess of New Jersey Saturday afternoon for following too closely.  The Utica K-9 was called to the scene and the trooper allegedly found two plastic tubs full of cannabis in Burgess’ trunk.  Total weight of the pot is five pounds.

Burgess and his passenger Scott Burgess of California were arrested for possession with intent to deliver cannabis.  Both guys were taken to the county jail.

The traffic stop happened on east bound I-80 just a mile west of Peru.

Mendota superintendent says state funding badly needed

It’s tough planning any budget if promised money doesn’t arrive.  Ask Dr. Kristin School, Superintendent of the Mendota elementary schools.  School welcomes the recent news of the tax increase – only because it makes her hopeful Springfield will now write checks Mendota schools badly need.

School says a lack of state funds created a $500,000 budget hole at Mendota.  With Illinois’s budget in recovery, School remains hesitant about reversing the cuts made earlier to Mendota’s pre-school program.

Services planned for Peru alderman

Peru Alderman Ron Wren will be remembered with a moment of silence at the start of tonight’s Peru City Council meeting.

Wren was elected onto the council in 1997 and served as a fourth ward alderman until dying Friday at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Wren was chairman of the Electric Committee and Buildings and Grounds Committee.

You can find out his funeral arrangements at the AM 1220 WLPO obituary page.

Aldermen Joe Mikyska, Dave Potthoff and Bob Ankiewicz spoke with AM 1220 WLPO about Wren.  You can hear their comments by visiting the AM 1220 WLPO news page.

Quinn to sign historic civil unions legislation

CHICAGO (AP) – A capacity crowd at a historic downtown Chicago venue. No, it isn’t a concert or even the big game – it’s to watch civil unions become legal in Illinois.

When Gov. Pat Quinn signs the historic legislation today afternoon, he’ll be joined by hundreds of members of the gay community and their supporters, many of whom have been waiting years for this moment to arrive.

Free tickets to the bill-signing event were long gone by late last week, and the governor’s office planned to set aside a portion of the space at the Chicago Cultural Center as standing-room only.

Legislators sent the civil unions bill to Quinn in December. It gives gay and lesbian couples official recognition from the state.

Couple wins $500 towards wedding

Weddings can get expensive but an area couple has a few extra hundred dollars to spend after winning at the 31st annual Illinois Valley Bridal Show.

Jaci Haag of Streator and William Packard won $500to spend on services for the wedding they’re planning for November 2012.

The Illinois Valley Bridal Show was presented Sunday by AM 1220 WLPO, 99.3 WAJK and 96.5 The Wolf.

Brian Towne on death penalty

A bill to abolish the death penalty has been sitting on the Governor’s desk for two weeks now. After the bill was passed to him, Governor Quinn said he would reflect on the measure and seek input before taking action. LaSalle County States Attorney Brian Towne favors keeping this ultimate in punishments because it can’t be determined just how many persons were deterred from committing a heinous crime because of the death penalty. Many opponents to capital punhishment are only worried about the cost. Towne is a vice-president of the Illinois States Attorney’s Association who has sent its message to the Governor. In the past, Governor Quinn has stated he believes, in principle, in the death penalty.

Blizzard Watch issued for Tuesday and Wednesday

Winter weather could make getting around difficult this week.  The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard watch from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon.  They’re predicting that heavy snow will make driving dangerous.

Snow is predicted to start Monday afternoon and continue through Wednesday.  Daily highs are also expected to go from the 20’s on Monday and Tuesday to only single digits by Thursday.