Bitter Wind Chill Expected

Dangerous wind chills are coming.

The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Advisory for La Salle County from 9pm Thursday through 11am Friday.  Wind chills could be anywhere from 20 to 29 degrees below zero during the time of the advisory.

The low temperature Thursday night without the wind chill is expected to be 4 degrees below zero.

Little Lotto Winner Comes Forward

The person who bought a winning Little Lotto ticket at a gas station in Princeton is a secret no longer.

The News Tribune reports Jill Schaudt of Princeton bought the 250 thousand dollar ticket Friday at Becks Express on Main Street in Princeton.  She’s worked at the gas station for five years.

The winning numbers were 21, 24, 32, 36 and 37.

The store will receive a 25 hundred dollar bonus.

Fuel spill closed a lane of Rt 71 in Granville

A heads up if you’re taking Route 71 through Granville.  A spot on the road is covered with sand after a minor semi-truck accident.

It happened around 10:40am Wednesday.  Traffic was down to one lane because the truck began leaking diesel fuel.  Police believe the driver quickly stopped, lost control and hit the guardrail.  No one was hurt.

Teacher Caught In Act Resigns

An Ottawa High School graduate charged with having sex with a student has resigned.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the Plainfield North School board voted last night to accept Ashley Blumenshine’s resignation letter.  One board member voted against the resignation because she wanted to fire Blumenshine.

The 27-year old from Lisle and originally from Marseilles was arrested January 4^th for allegedly having sex with a 16-year old student in a car behind a Plainfield Kohl’s.  She taught P.E. and dance at Plainfield North since 2006.

Large IVCC Expansion Moving Forward

Among the things being approved recently in Springfield is money for a new Community Technology Center for Illinois Valley Community College.

IVCC President Jerry Corcoran says the Capital Development Board will allocate 22.8 million dollars in construction bonds.  IVCC is responsible for about seven million dollars.

The new 74 thousand square foot center will house manufacturing and high-tech career classes along with offices for admissions, financial aid and counseling.  It would be built between Building F and the new parking lot.

Groundbreaking is expected this year.

La Salle Canal boat recomended as a meeting destination

Would you hold a business meeting on the canal boat?  A website that lists attractions and meeting spaces for professionals has ranked the canal boat as the number 10 destination for groups to meet in the Chicago suburbs.

Topping the list on http://www.Meetings Focus.com was the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Man accused of robbing Ottawa Walgreens indicted

A man accused of robbing the Walgreens in Ottawa remains in jail.  A grand jury Tuesday indicted 23 year old Louis Babcock for burglary.

Police say Babcock walked up to a register and made off with money cash in late December.

Babcock’s bond has been set at $100,000.  He’s being held in the La Salle County Jail.

Ameren paying Ottawa for transmission line easements

Ameren is pushing ahead with putting up power lines between Ottawa and Wedron.

The power company is paying Ottawa over $13,000 for three easements on the east end of town.  Ameren’s agreeing to pay 75% of market value to the city.

They’re planning to put lines over city land on Ontario Street, Route 6 and Champlain Street along the CSX rail line.  Ameren has already started the process of putting lines up along Interstate 80 from La Salle to Wedron.

Overnight snowfall leaves roads slick

Driving conditions are improving Wednesday morning.  An overnight dusting of snow made already icy roads even more dangerous, but IDOT says conditions have improved.

Interstate 80 through Bureau and La Salle Counties is patchy but most of I-39 is considered clear.

IDOT says Interstates 80 and 39 through Bureau and La Salle Counties are patchy but less traveled roads are covered.  Click here to visit IDOT’s statewide road condition map.