Chicago flights cancelled.

Officials at Chicago’s two major airports report that more than 230 flights to and from the East Coast have been canceled as a result of Hurricane Irene. The city’s Department of Aviation says more than 200 of those flights are in and out of O’Hare International Airport, with the rest of the cancelations being reported at Midway International Airport. The cancelations were expected, as the airport issued a news release on Friday alerting news organizations that cancelations and the hurricane bearing down on the East Coast were imminent. The department is advising those traveling this weekend or picking people up at the airports to go to the airlines’ Web sites for flight status information.

 

Semi tips over

A traffic tie-up became part of the weekend plans of drivers traveling southbound I-39 late Saturday morning. The District 17 state police dispatcher told AM 1220 WLPO news a semi tipped over around 11am about four miles south of the Route 52 / Troy Grove exit. Traffic was backed up for a considerable distance until southbound lanes were open about 1pm. It’s believed the driver of the semi was not seriously hurt. State police have yet to release the cause of the accident, the driver’s name and the owner of the truck.

Local Nt. Guard on alert

Effects of Hurricane Irene have reached in-land to Streator – home of “Company A – 405th Brigade” of the Illinois National Guard. Major Brad Leighton is the Public Affairs Director of the Illinois National Guard. Major Leighton said “Company A – 405th Brigade has been told to prepare their Gear and vehicles for POSSIBLE deployment to the East Coast. The 405th would assist other military and social service agencies in transporting personnel and equipment to victims of the hurricane. Leighton says the “alert” or “mustering” is, at the least, good training exercise for the guardsman. The “green light” to deploy to the East Coast is believed to be coming in the next 12 – 18 hours. It will likely take the brigade three days to move all equipment to the East Coast.

New Peru business

A regional business is setting up shop in the Illinois Valley soon. Peru Community Development Director, Bob Vickery made an announcement at Noon Saturday. Quality Sand Products will take raw sand from Ottawa Silica and separate it into different grades. One of those grades, will be used by James Hardie Corporation, located next to the future Quality Sand site. The remaining grades, about 75% of the company’s output, will be shipped out on rail. A ground breaking will be held in two weeks. It is hoped Quality Sand will start operations January 1. It’s anticipated it will run three shifts with four persons each.

Tonica Celebration Continues

Red, white and blue is the theme this year at Tonica Fest.

The annual event continues today.  Today’s schedule includes a dunk tank, food stands, bake sale, cruise in, parade, carnival and live music.

AM 1220 WLPO’s Rod Thorson is broadcasting at 1 in Tonica.