4 women, 2 men killed in S. Illinois tornado

HARRISBURG, Ill. (AP) – Six people killed in a violent southern Illinois tornado included four women and two men.

Saline County Sherriff’s Lt. Tracy Felty says about 100 people were injured in the storm early Wednesday in Harrisburg.

Authorities weren’t releasing any names.

Darrell Osman says his mother, 75-year-old Mary Osman, was among the dead.

He said he raced to his mother’s home not long after the storm and arrived in time to speak to her before she was taken to a hospital with a head injury, a severe cut to her neck and a broken arm and leg. She died a short time later.

The National Weather Service has given the tornado an EF4 rating, the second-highest rating given to twisters. The rating is assigned to storms based on damage they cause.

State Police Troopers using nighttime patrols

If it seems like there have been more Illinois State Police troopers patrolling at night, that’s because there have.  Troopers from District 17 spent the past two Saturday nights on Nighttime Enforcement Patrols looking for drunken drivers in La Salle County.

In two nights they wrote 28 tickets and 57 warnings.  Six of the tickets were alcohol and drug related.

You could see more cops out in March.  Troopers say there will be roadside safety checks.

Princeton voters to decide on home rule question

Primary election ballots in Bureau County will include a handful of referendum questions.

In Princeton, voters will say yes or no to becoming a home rule form of government.  Home rule gives cities more flexibility in spending tax dollars and dealing with state mandates.

In Sheffield’s Fire Protection District, there are two ballot questions.  One is to a levy a tax for ambulance service and the other is to raise taxes for emergency and rescue equipment.

Four towns in Bureau County are also voting on an opt-out energy program.  The question’s being posed in Depue, Malden, Spring Valley, and Walnut.

Trucker Taken To Kewanee Hospital After Bureau County Crash

A semi driver who overturned his rig near Sheffield was ticketed for his troubles.

Garrison Patrick of Clinton, Iowa had to be cut out of his semi after overturning it yesterday along the westbound Interstate 80 ditch near the Route 40 exit.  He was taken to Kewanee Hospital.  Patrick was also ticketed for improper lane usage.

The crash happened just before noon Tuesday and closed one lane of traffic for a few hours.  His truck started leaking a small amount of ethanol but there was no fire.

Illinois governor headed to site of deadly tornado

HARRISBURG, Ill. (AP) – Gov. Pat Quinn has activated the State Emergency Operations Center after a tornado left six people dead in the southern Illinois city of Harrisburg.

Quinn plans to survey the storm damage on Wednesday. The governor says the state is “committed to do everything possible” to help communities recover from the storms. Quinn’s office says state officials are assessing damage and coordinating with local emergency responders to see if they can help in any way. State officials say they have deployed fire, police and emergency resources.

Quinn’s office says the State Emergency Operations Center will remain activated as long as needed.

Hold Onto Your Hats Today

Warm temperatures today are being escorted in with high winds.

A Wind Advisory is in effect for the listening area from 9am until 6pm. Sustained winds of 30 to 35 mph are expected today with gusts of 45 to 50 mph.

Small limbs and twigs could easily break off from trees with the wind. Semi drivers also have to be aware.