Accident victim found a mile away

Ten search and rescue teams looking Saturday for an accident victim in Northwest Livingston county found her dead a mile from the crash. Livingston County Sheriff’s office was called about 8:30am today (yesterday) about a Pontiac car in a creek three and a half miles southwest of Streator. Search and rescue from as far as Naplate later found the woman’s body a mile south of the accident. The identity of the woman will be released later by the Coroner. The Sheriff’s office believes the Pontiac was south on 100 East Road, drove through a bridge barricade, struck a tree and stopped in a creek. The woman apparently walked a mile before collapsing two and one half miles south of the village of Munster. Investigation continues by the Livingston County Sheriff and Coroner.

Oglesby City council members talk with IDNR

It’s not often Oglesby city commissioners hold a meeting outside of their council chambers but they did Saturday morning.  About one dozen people met on the paths north of Lehigh Park to see mine reclamation work by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Along with closing off mine shafts on the north side of the Vermilion River, they’ve hired a contractor to backfill the slope north of the park in the old Boy Scout campgrounds.  A set of pillars from an old bridge still need to be removed but otherwise the work is running ahead of schedule thanks to nice weather.

Mayor Don Finley says it’s the city land.  And though it’s been suggested, Finley says they haven’t about talked building a canoe landing or parking lot there.  He says they’re still focusing on McPhedren Park.

Charity basketball game to return to Peru Parkside School

Want to raise money?  Create competition.  There will be plenty of that at Parkside School when doctors from Illinois Valley Community Hospital and local Rotary Club members face-off on the basketball court.

It’s year three for what has grown into a tradition.  Tip off will be at 6:30p.m. Friday, March 16.  Admission is free but they’ll take donations for the Illinois Valley Food Pantry and the IVCH Foundation.

$1.6M flood protection grant to Woodford County

WASHINGTON (AP) – Woodford County in central Illinois has been awarded a $1.6 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a flood protection project.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s office announced the grant Friday. It will fund a proposed project involving the voluntary acquisition and demolition of 14 residential structures in the Illinois River floodway.

Buying the properties will allow Woodford County to create a permanent open space in areas that flood repeatedly. The goal is to reduce damages and lessen the impact of flooding on the local community.

Deed restrictions on the property will prohibit future development and dedicate the land to open space permanently.

Durbin says the federal funding will help reduce costs to the local government.

La Salle County sees an increase in home sales while values fell

Home sales have gotten off to a good start for the year in the Illinois Valley.

According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS, 50 homes were sold last month in La Salle County compared to 32 the year before.  The median selling prices for La Salle County homes is $78,000, 2% lower than in 2011.

In Bureau County, 17 homes were sold last month compared to just four in January of 2011.  The median sale price of Bureau County homes was $81,000, a 158%.

In Putnam County, just two homes were sold last month compared to four a year ago.  The median sale price was $56,000, a 13% drop from last January.

Home, Garden and Lifestyle Show this weekend at Celebrations 150

It’s too cold to work on your yard but you can still be thinking about what you would like to do with it this spring and summer.  You’ll find ideas and companies that can help you at the Home, Garden and Lifestyle Show Saturday and Sunday  at Celebrations 150 in La Salle.

The show is open from 10am-4pm both days.  It’s free to get in.  It’s sponsored by AM 1220 WLPO.