Dad of girl electrocuted on Ill. farm files suit

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) – The father of a northwestern Illinois girl who was electrocuted while removing tassels from corn has filed a wrongful death suit against Monsanto Corp.

Hannah Kendall and Jade Garza, both 14 years old and from Sterling, were killed July 25 when they came into contact with a field irrigator while working near Tampico.

About 72 people were de-tasseling corn for St. Louis-based Monsanto at the time.

In a lawsuit filed this week, Kendall’s father, Brian, says Monsanto knew about problems with the field’s irrigation equipment and did nothing to fix them.

In a statement, Monsanto denied those claims, saying crews wouldn’t have been allowed to work in the cornfield if the company knew there was an electrical hazard.

Brian Kendall’s suit also names the cornfield’s owners and an electric company.

Alzheimer’s disease program to be held at IVCC

Can you tell the difference between a senior moment and signs of Alzheimer’s disease?  Educate yourself on the illness that affects not only those diagnosed with it, but their family.

“Early Detection, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Clinical Trials” is a program coming to Illinois Valley Community College.  It’s part of symposium being held Tuesday, Aug. 16^th, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

It’s free to attend but you should call the Central Illinois Chapter office of the Alzheimer’s Association to register.

Bureau County Relay for Life raises $93,000

There are a lot of sleepy people in Bureau County Saturday.  26 teams stayed up overnight at Hall High School for the annual Bureau County Relay for Life.  They raised over $93,000 for the American Cancer Society.

They were hoping to raise $100,000.  Shirley Morse with the Relay says they still have until the end of the month to reach that total.  She also says more survivors turned out last night than during previous years.

Quinn blocks law letting people collect roadkill

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Forget about squirrel stew or a nice coyote-fur coat. Gov. Pat Quinn has vetoed legislation letting people collect animals killed along Illinois roads.

In his veto message Friday, Quinn said he was worried about the safety of drivers who stop to pick up roadkill. He encouraged lawmakers to come up with a version that includes safety measures.

The legislation said that if people have the proper permits and licenses, they could collect any furbearing mammal found during the appropriate hunting season.

People could do whatever they please with the carcasses, whether it’s skin them for their hides or add them to a rustic stew.

Even without the legislation, people are allowed to collect deer killed by vehicles.

Activities continue in Granville

Water fights, a bags tournament and a tug of war are some of the competitions taking place in Granville Saturday.  The highlight will likely be the parade which starts at 1pm.

The games, face painting and other activities you’ll find at Hopkins Park.  There’s also a beer garden and a variety of food stands.  At Veteran’s Park is a craft show from 9am until 5pm.  It’s all part of the village’s 175^th anniversary which wraps up today.