Lawsuit Filed In Milton Pope Bus Crash

Four families of Milton Pope students injured in a bus crash are suing a pickup truck driver blamed for the crash.

Peru Attorney Scott Ganassin says he’s filed a lawsuit against Michael Shelton of rural Seneca on behalf of four children with the worst injuries.  Ganassin says the lawsuit seeks thousands of dollars from Shelton to pay for medical bills dealing with multiple broken bones and surgeries for the students.  While there isn’t an excess monetary amount of the lawsuit, Ganassin says Shelton will never have enough insurance to cover the damages.

Over 30 Milton Pope students were taken to the hospital September 10^th after investigators say Shelton blew a stop sign and hit the school bus.  Ganassin says it’s possible other families sue Shelton.

Sand Company Needs One Last Permit Before Mining Near Starved Rock

If you don’t like the idea of a sand mine just east of Starved Rock State Park, you have one last shot to try and stop the project.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has opened a 30-day public comment period on Mississippi Sand’s last needed permit.  You can only file a comment if you feel the sand company’s discharge plan is inadequate.

Mississippi Sand already has received construction and storm water permits from the EPA.  If they get the discharge permit, they’ll likely start blasting for sand next year.

A link to Mississippi Sand’s permit is available at http://www.epa.state.il.us/water/permits/non-coal-mines/index.php

Crash Injures Spring Valley Woman

A woman from Spring Valley was hospitalized after a crash Thursday afternoon.

Tina Tucker was taken to St. Margaret’s Hospital after crashing with Aloysius Kunkel of Lostant at the intersection of Mary and 2^nd Streets in Spring Valley.

Kunkel was given a ticket for failing to yield.  He wasn’t hurt.

Environmentalists Continue Fight Against Sand Mine

There’s a rally planned Sunday at Starved Rock State Park and it doesn’t involve an election.

The Sierra Club of Illinois is rallying against the proposed sand mine near the east entrance of Starved Rock.  Sierra Club members will lead guided hikes of the park, take a tour of the proposed land for the sand mine and finish Sunday afternoon at Grand Bear Lodge with guest speakers.

The Sierra Club has been against the proposed Mississippi Sand project from the very beginning.  They even brought in Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon to try and slow down the project.