Minor flooding along the Illinois River

Take a ride along the Illinois River and you’ll notice it’s been rising.  There’s a flood warning for the Illinois River at La Salle, Ottawa and Morris.

The National Weather Service says the river was at least two feet over flood stage early Saturday morning.  Flooding is minor and not predicted to get worse.  They expect it to crest at 24.2 feet Monday morning.

A flood advisory also is in effect for the Illinois River at Ottawa.

Oglesby rolls out plans for Summer Fun Fest

Oglesby will be hopping during the second weekend in July.   The Oglesby Summer Fun Fest will feature many tribute bands, food, and family friend games.

Most of the action will take place on the swimming pool grounds.  The musical lineup includes bands paying tribute to the Beach Boys, Rod Stewart, Bruce Springsteen, and Jimmy Buffet.

Other things being planned include a farmers market, a Junior Karaoke Contest, town-wide garage sales, and a car show.

You’ll also find kids activities, food stands, and a beer garden.  It’s scheduled for July 7 through July 10.

Mother And Daughter Killed In Marseilles Crash

The investigation continues into a crash that killed a mother and daughter from Ottawa.

Police say 69 year old Lorraine McNeil was heading east on the Morris Blacktop when she stopped at the stop sign at the North 30^th Road intersection before pulling out into the path of a truck heading south on the blacktop.

McNeil and her daughter, 45 year old Kathleen Wilcox, were pronounced dead at the scene.  The driver of the truck was taken to Ottawa Regional Hospital for treatment.

This stretch of the Morris Blacktop was closed for over six hours as investigators reconstructed the crash.

State Fair Lineup Set

This year’s Illinois State Fair concert lineup features a little of everything from a guy with puppets to a guy with baggy pants.

Jeff Dunham and his trunk full of puppets kicks off the grandstand schedule August 12th.  He’s followed by 3 Doors Down, Jason Aldean, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Luke Bryan, Oak Ridge Boys, 38 Special and Loverboy, MC Hammer with Boyz II Men and Lady Antebellum.

Lady A was supposed to play the fair last year but their show was rained out.

Jurors Tough To Find In Blagojevich Trial

CHICAGO (AP) – Rod Blagojevich has encountered the first big challenge of his corruption retrial: finding jurors who don’t already think he’s guilty.

U.S. District Judge James Zagel questioned about 20 prospective jurors Thursday. A number said they had heard about Blagojevich’s case and already believed the accusations against him. But some potential panelists still told the judge they believe they can put aside their opinions and be fair in judging Blagojevich. Zagel agreed to eliminate about half of the interviewed jurors based on challenges from attorneys.

Blagojevich’s first trial ended last year with jurors deadlocked on all but one count of lying to the FBI.

Rain And River Falling

Despite a steady rain, the Illinois River is going down and not up.

The river in La Salle is at 20.5 feet and falling.  It’s supposed to fall back below the 20 foot flood stage around midnight tonight.  A flood warning remains in effect.

A flood advisory also is in effect for the Illinois River at Ottawa.  The river there is expected to crest at about a foot below flood stage.