Grand Ridge Fire Department receive an award

Emergencies don’t only happen when it’s convenient.  Just ask a fire fighter or an EMT who is called out in the middle of the night and during dangerous conditions.

The Grand Ridge Fire Volunteer Fire Department has received kudos for the effort they made during a blizzard in 2011.  They’ve received the Illinois Department of Public Health’s 25th Annual Emergency Medical Services Award.

Members of the Grand Ridge Department put together a rescue team of fire and emergency medical services personnel who went out on snowmobiles, snow plows and trucks to assist citizens and rescue people from the blizzard.

It’s Emergency Medical Services Week in Illinois.

Gov. Quinn and Polish President Komorowski

A military band performed the United States and Polish national anthems to welcome Polish president Bronislaw Komorowski to Illinois Army National Guard Marseilles training center.

Komorowski and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn took a break from the NATO summit Sunday morning for a quick tour of the center where both American and Polish troops train.

Speaking through a translator, Komorowski explained Poland’s long history of being allies with the U.S.

Quinn, Major General William Enyart and 13 soldiers were presented with the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.

Looking on was the 123^rd Field Artillery out of Milan, local National Guard members and a few visitors.  It was not open to the public.

Children experience auto accident

Children in the care of a Marseilles man Friday were in an accident and saw the driver arrested. The sheriff’s office said William Trumbo had two children in his car when he sideswiped a car driven by a woman, Gerri Thompson near Grand Ridge after 4pm Friday. Both were taken to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa. Trumbo faces charges of felony DUI, endangering the life of a child and not having the children secured in a car seat.

safe boating week

Now sit right back and you’ll hear a tale – a tale of a fateful trip. Nick Schuyler and three friends went on a fishing trip on February 28, 2009, seventy miles west of Clearwater, Florida. Nick become the sole survivor, rescued by the Coast Guard after being in frigid Gulf waters for two days. The former South Florida football player attributes his survival to a life jacket and on several videos encourages boaters to let their boating plans be known. Sgt. Robert Frazier with the Conservation police says a life jacket is required for all on board and you should have a fire extinguisher, horn or whistle…and your boat battery should be covered. More tips at safe boating campaign dot com.

Chicago activists charged

Bond is set for two Chicago activists charged with terrorism in connection with the two-day NATO summit. A judge set bond Sunday at $750,000 for 24-year-old Sebastian Senakiewicz (sehn ah KEHV’ ich), who is charged with making a false terrorist threat. Bond is $50,000 for 28-year-old Mark Neiweem, who is charged with attempted possession of explosives. In Illinois the men would have to pay 10 percent of those amounts to be freed. Prosecutors say Senakiewicz allegedly said he could blow up a downtown Chicago bridge. They say Nieweem wanted to build a pipe bomb. Both men appeared in a Chicago court on Sunday.

Komorowski visit to Marseilles

News Director Jennifer Nagle stood with European media for the unusual visit of a European leader to north central Illinois today. Polish president Bronislaw Komorowski spent about 45 minutes this morning on the grounds of the Marseilles National Guard training facility. Using a translator, President Komorowski spoke of the connection between Illinois and Poland. Some Polish troops have and currently are training at the Marseilles National Guard facility. Komorowski gave out medals and toured the facility then was whisked away to the NATO summit in Chicago.

Chicago sees protestors again

Protesters gathering in Chicago for the NATO summit are gearing up for their largest demonstration this afternoon. Thousands are expected to march later today from a downtown park to the lakeside McCormick Center where President Barack Obama and dozens of other world leaders will meet. Police say sporadic clashes with demonstrators led to 18 arrests last night.

ATV driver knocked out

You’ve heard the disclaimer: ATV’s can be hazardous to operate. 45-year old Melissa Burash of Streator found out how hazardous they can be Saturday evening. Burash lost control of an ATV at 1604 Oakley Avenue in Streator, flipped it over and knocked herself unconscious, according to the Sheriff’s office. Burash was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital by ambulance.

Labor of Love Saturday

Forty people helped prep a house in Ladd Saturday as part of the Labor of Love in the Illinois Valley. Labor of love was moved to May this year, according to United Way Executive Director, Julie Sloan. Jeff Pinter of Cherry has been volunteering with Labor of Love for several years. He said with a few carpenter skills and a willingness to pitch in and paint….he enjoys giving back to the community. The volunteers were treated to chicken afterwards at Rips’ in Ladd.

Polish President visiting

It’s all about tourism in our area.  One of the more significant tourists or visitors will visit the Marseilles National Guard Training Center today.  Bronislaw Komorowski, the President of Poland,  will view its facilities and take part in ceremonies before moving on to today’s NATO  summit in Chicago.