Snowy roads contribute to deadly crash in Marshall County

A man from Peoria is dead after crashing with a semi truck near Sparland.

It happened late Thursday morning on Route 17 just west of the Lacon-Sparland bridge.  Police say 34 year old Adam Lagocki’s car spun sideways on the snowy road and into the path of a semi.  The car and the truck ended up in an embankment near a creek.

Lagocki was pronounced dead at the scene while the man driving the truck, Randall Gates of Milan, was taken to St. Francis Medical Center.  His injuries were non-life threatening.

Route 71 sand mine receives La Salle County Board approval

A sand mine proposed for an area west of Ottawa has received the approval of the La Salle County Board.  Mississippi Sand wants to develop the mine along Route 71 but was faced with much opposition by people who thought it would be too close to Starved Rock State Park.

The county board Thursday voted 20 to six in favor of the project.  After hours of hearings, the La Salle County zoning board of appeals also supported the change from agriculture to mining.

Peru ready to bid out 2012 street project

The Shooting Park Road Hill, North Peoria Street and scattered side streets in Peru are on the list to be resurfaced this year.  Peru officials estimate they’ll be spending almost $2.5 million on roads and curbs this year.

Alderman Dave Waldorf says they tried to include long stretches of roads like the back road to the mall and a well traveled road near Menard’s and Rural King.  About $210,000 is being spent in each ward.

To pay for the street projects and some north side infrastructure work, the city plans to borrow $3 million.  The loan would be paid back with money from a recent sales tax increase.

Snow covered roads and highways leading to many minor accidents

If you don’t have anywhere to go Thursday night, stay home.  That’s the advice of Illinois State Police Trooper Craig Graham.  Roads are snow covered and area police departments have been getting called to accidents, mostly miner, on the interstates and even in town.

He says if you have to go out, let someone know where you’re going, what route you’re taking and when you plan on arriving.  If you crash and have to call for help, make sure to know where you are at.

And dress for the weather.

You can hear more from Trooper Graham at AM 1220 WLPO’s news page.

Tuition Could Rise Almost 10 Percent At IVCC

With state aid and property taxes expected to be flat the next few years and an expected decrease in credit hours, the cost of attending Illinois Valley Community College could be on the rise.

The IVCC Audit/Finance Committee voted to support an $8.25 tuition increase to help absorb a projected drop in enrollment and stagnant property taxes.  When you add a built-in technology and student activities fee, the jump is 9.9 percent.

The new tuition rate would be just over 84 dollars.  Vice President of Business Services and Finance Cheryl Roelfsma says that’s still lowest of all Illinois junior colleges.

Large Fire Breaks Out At Seneca Boat Marina

The fire that destroyed over a dozen luxury boats in Seneca is being called suspicious.

That’s what Seneca Fire Chief Jerry Sears calls this morning’s fire at Spring Brook Marina.  The fire call came in at just after one o’clock.

Fire departments from places like Grand Ridge and Naplate were called for mutual aid.  The fire was put out just before 8 o’clock.  Fifteen boats were destroyed.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office has been called to investigate.

Vote Today On Proposed Starved Rock Area Sand Mine

Will the winter storm keep an expected large crowd away from a sand mine vote in Ottawa?

The La Salle County Board meets today at one to vote on the special use permit for Mississippi Sand to start mining over 200 acres of land along Route 71 just east of Starved Rock.  The meeting is in the KC Hall so it can accommodate more people.

Even if dozens show up, only three people besides the county board will be able to have the floor to talk about the sand mine.  Lawyers for the sand mine, mine opponents and Mississippi Sand President Tony Giordano are on the public comment list.  There will be no other public comment time.

La Salle County Board Chairman Jerry Hicks doesn’t think the board will take too much time to vote since a majority of them were at the two-day, 14-hour Zoning Board of Appeals hearing last month.  The ZBA unanimously approved the sand mine permit.