spit and crash

You’ve heard of the hazards of texting and driving. Here’s another form of distracted driving to avoid. A Kenosha woman who was trying to spit out her window has been cited after she crashed into a parked car. A Kenosha News report says the 23-year-old was driving Thursday morning when she spat. Some of the saliva landed on her window, so she briefly looked away from the road to wipe it off. She ended up rear-ending a parked car. The woman was cited for inattentive driving.

West Nile Virus

Officials in the Chicago suburb of Lombard say longtime village President William Mueller has died of complications from the West Nile virus. The Chicago Sun-Times reports Mueller was hospitalized on Aug. 5 and died Saturday. He was 76, and had served as village president since 1993. The virus is striking people earlier this year because the weather created good breeding conditions for the mosquito that carries the virus. Last year, Illinois’ first human case wasn’t reported until Aug. 19. That year, there were 34 cases, including three deaths.

Red Cross to host Bike Rodeo in Peru

A bike Rodeo is planned next Sunday along with the Red Cross’s annual “Walk Run and Bike” event at Peru’s Baker Lake. The first one hundred children receive a free bike helmet and T-shirt. One lucky child will receive a 20” childrens’ bike donated by Bike Works. It’s free and an adult must accompany all participants. The event starts at Noon – the same time as the “Walk Run Bike” event at the lake. A “Kindle Fire” will be raffled and there will be Team Prizes. You can register beforehand by calling 223-0922.

Mautino on failed pension session

A measure Friday to cut Illinois legislative pensions fizzled out. Democrats saying it showed they’re willing to share the pain they’re asking of other public employees. Republicans said it was a stunt to provide political cover for a failed session. Asked for his reaction on the Republican’s comments, Rep. Frank Mautino said there was truth on both sides. Asked what’s next, Rep. Mautino said he doubted the Governor would call another special session. Mautino believes negotiators will go in and deal with all five pension funds in the near future.

Peppers transcript

Former North Carolina football star Julius Peppers confirms it was his academic transcript that was posted on the university’s website and insists there was “no academic fraud” with it. The Chicago Bears’ defensive end released a statement yesterday through his agent calling it “an upsetting and challenging week for me” after a link to the transcript surfaced earlier this week. He says he’s disappointed his privacy was violated.

taxing the topless?

Strip clubs in Illinois will soon have to pay an additional tax to help fund efforts to prevent sexual assault and counsel victims. Governor Pat Quinn yesterday signed into a law a measure establishing the tax. The law takes effect January 1st.

 

Lipton Tea fire update

A few Streator firemen remain at the Lipton Tea Building adjacent to Route 18 in Streator. The firemen are hosing down hot spots – the last signs of a blaze that gutted the four story brick and wood structure in the wee hours of Sunday. One Streator firefighter estimated twelve departments, including Ottawa and Peru, were helping at the height of the fire. There were no injuries reported. Ottawa Fire Department Captain Buck Manley said there were huge logs inside and several sections of roof collapsed. A Streator firefighter told AM 1220 WLPO news, they went to the Lipton building after midnight from a house fire they had extinguished at 319 South Vermillion. Fire Chief Tom Risley is not commenting on the cause of either fire. More will be said at a press conference Monday morning at City Hall. It’s Risley’s call, but Manley speculated the structure isn’t stable and traffic will be detoured until the building’s demolished. The Lipton Tea Building had been considered for the National Register of Historic Places.